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COLLECTIONS
OF THE
State Historical Society
of wisconsin^
EDITED BY
REUBEN GOLD THWAITES, LL. D.
Secretary and Superintendent of the Society
VOL. XIX
Mackinac Register of Baptisms and Interments— 1695-1821
A Wisconsin Fur-Trader's Journal — 1804-05
The Fur-Trade on the Upper Lakes— 1778-1815
The Fur-Trade in Wisconsin— 1815-1817
MADISON
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
19IO
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2,500 COPIES PRINTED
DEMOCRAT PRINTING CO., MADISON, STATE PRINTER
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PAGE
Officers of the Society, 1910 . . •. ix
Preface . . . . . . xi
THE MACKINAC REGISTER
1695-1821: Register of Baptisms of the Mission of St. Ignace
DE MlCHILIMAKINAK . . . .1
1787: Register of Marriages .... 149
1743-1806: Register of Interments .... 150
1787-1821: Miscellaneous notes in the Register . . 160
A WISCONSIN FUR-TRADER'S JOURNAL, 1804-05
Letter to the Readers ..... 163
From Fort Kamanaitiquoya to the Montreal River . . 166
List of goods given for provisions and expenses of the Fort
of Lac du Flambeau ..... 216
Statement of goods sent to the Ouiseconsaint River . 221
Inventory of goods remaining at Lac du Flambeau . 224
Statement of the goods given to the savages for nothing
(three broadsides) ..... 224
Account book for drouine ..... 225
THE FUR-TRADE ON THE UPPER LAKES
1778: Supplies received and forwarded . . 234
1784: Sales at Montreal .... 259
1786: Returns unsatisfactory .... 261
1789: Supplies for North West Company . . 266
1790: Outfitting at Green Bay .... 267
1791-92: Conditions at Mackinac .... 270
1792: Fur-Trade unprofitable . . . . 271
1793: Regulations proposed .... 273
1793: Dispute with employe . . . .275
1796: British evacuate Detroit . . . 276
1798: Furs captured by French .... -277
1799: New North West Company
[iii]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1799: Outfitting for Wisconsin . . • m&
1799: Competition in the Northwest . • .283
1799: Shipping on Lake Huron . 285
1799: News from Mackinac ...» 287
1799: Engages desert . 288
1799: Prices for peltry . 289
1800: Rivalry in Northwest trade . . • 289
1800: Wisconsin engagement contract . . • 292
1800: Provisions for fur-trade . • • 2Q3
1801: Licenses for the fur-trade . . • 29^
1801: Montreal exports of furs . • • 297
1802: Settlement of accounts; Langlade's lands . . 298
1802: United States regulations for fur-trade . . 301
1803: a typical fur-trade account . . • 304
1804: Trade at Milwaukee . . . . • 305
1804: Provisions on Upper Lakes . • • 306
1804: Union of Northwest companies . . . 308
1805: Location of fur-trade factories . . 310
1806: Wisconsin traders and agent . . . 311
1807: Operations of Dubuque .... 318
1807: A typical invoice . . . .321
1807: Influence of Tecumseh's brother . . . 322
1808: Wisconsin agent killed in duel . . . 324
1808: Directions for factors .... 326
1809: mlchilimackinac factory . . . 333
1809: The Mackinac Company . . . .334
1809: Hatters' furs from factories . . . 335
1810: Americans absorb Montreal fur-trade . . 336
1811: Embargo affects fur-trade . . . 338
1811: Wisconsin cargo cleared . . . 340
1811: Traders purchase from factor . . . 341
1811: Avoidance of embargo .... 342
1812: Fur-trade engagement .... 343
1812-13: Wisconsin trade agreements . . . 344
1813: American Fur Company on the Great Lakes . 346
1814: Rumor of peace . . . . . 350
1814: North West Company equip Green Bay trader . S55
1814. American expedition on Lake Huron . . 357
1814: British control Mackinac . . . 364
1815: Effect of peace . . . . .369
1815: Last days of the North Westerners . . 372
THE FUR-TRADE IN WISCONSIN
1815: American message to Menominee . . . 375
1815: Wisconsin posts recom mended . . . 376
1815: United States factories in Wisconsin . . 380
[iv]
1695-1821]
Contents
1815: Use of liquor prohibited . . • 395
1815: Duty on fur-trade merchandise . . . 396
1815: Orders from Illinois .... 398
1815: Indian agent at Green Bay . . • 399
1816: Prohibition of liquor .... 399
1816: Traders at Milwaukee .... 400
1816: British subjects in Wisconsin fur-trade . . 401
1816: Agents of the South West and American Fur com-
panies ...... 413
1816: Seizure of furs ..... 415
1816: Troops at Prairie du Chien . . • 424
1816: Licenses for foreigners .... 425
1816: Green Bay traders and prices . . . 428
1816: Troops at Green Bay . . . .430
1816: Factory at Prairie du Chien . . . 433
1816: Post built at Green Bay .... 436
1816: Factory and licenses at Green Bay . . 440
1816: Legal opinion on licenses . . . 441
1816: Affairs at Green Bay .... 442
1816: Licenses to foreigners .... 443
1817: Difficulties of Wisconsin traders . . 445
1817: Factory receipts ..... 447
1817: American Fur Company's agents . . . 451
1817: Abuse of licensing power . . . 452
1817: Prices for furs ..... 453
1817: Instructions for shipping furs . . . 454
1817: Winnebago hostile .... 455
1817: Purposes of private traders . . . 456
1817: Foreigners not excluded .... 457
1817: News from Mackinac .... 461
1817: Instructions for Wisconsin factor . . 463
1817: Proceeds of factories .... 466
1817: Prohibition of liquor .... 466
1817: British subjects at Green Bay . . . 468
1817: Wisconsin Indian census .... 470
1817: Wisconsin Indians visit British post . . 472
1817:' Lockwood at Prairie du Chien . . . 474
1817: Licenses at Green Bay .... 475
1817: Traders arrested on the Mississippi . . 477
1817: Licenses to foreigners .... 480
1817: Mississippi traders arrested . . . 483
1817: Instructions for Green Bay factor . . 484
1817: Local trading incidents .... 485
1817: Green Bay agent's report . . . 487
Index ....... 489
[V]
Illustrations
PAGE
Two pages op the Mackinac Register. Reduced photographic
facsimile ..... Frontispiece
Entries in Mackinac Register, July 20 and September 10, 1742.
Reduced photographic facsimile . . .8
Entry in Mackinac Register, March 11, 1749. Reduced photo-
graphic facsimile . . . . .26
Entry in Mackinac Register, July. 28, 1768. Reduced photo-
graphic facsimile . . . . .75
Autograph letter by Franqois Victor Malhiot. Reduced
photographic facsimile .... 166
Articles op Chippewa handicraft. Selected from specimens in
Museum of Wisconsin Historical Society . . . 174
Portrait of Shinaabaw'osin, or The Figured Stone, Chippewa
Chief. Photographic reduction of colored lithograph by
James Otto Lewis, 1826 . . . . 208
Portrait of Makometa, or Bear's Oil, Menominee Chief. Pho-
tographic reduction of colored lithograph by James Otto
Lewis, 1827 . . . . . .208
Statement of the goods given to the savages by Malhiot for
nothing (July 25-October 4, 1804). Folded broadside . 224
The same (October 13, 1804-April 9, 1805). Folded broadside . 224
The same (April 11-May 21, 1805). Folded broadside . .224
Map of Mackinac Island, 1910 .... 234
Portrait of Keeotuckkee, Potawatomi Chief. Photographic
reduction of colored lithograph by James Otto Lewis, 1827 256
Portrait of Nahshawagaa, or The White Dog's Son, Pota-
watomi chief. Photographic reduction of colored litho-
graph by James Otto Lewis, 1827 . . . 256
WINNEBAGO village. Reduced from lithograph in Henry R.
Schoolcraft's Indian Tribes .... 300
PORTRAIT OK SlIOUNKCIIUNK, OR THE BLACK WOLF, WlNNEBAGO
CHIEF. Photographic reduction of colored lithograph by
.lames Otto Lewis, 1827 .... 320
PORTRAIT ok Waakalaa, or Playing Fox, Fox chief. Photo-
graphic red notion of colored lithograph by James Otto
Lewis, 1825 .... 320
Portrait of Ramsay Crooks. From oil painting by E. Saintan,
in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society . . 347
[vi]
1695-1821] Illustrations
View of British Landing, Mackinac Island. From photograph
taken in 1910 . . . . .362
Articles used by Wisconsin fur-traders. Selected from speci-
mens in Museum of Wisconsin Historical Society . 375
Portrait of Lewis Cass. From oil painting in possession of Wis-
consin Historical Society, copied by Lewis T. Ives from
"™ ' original (Detroit 1839) by George A. P. Healy . . 379
Portrait of Andrew Jacques Vieau. From oil painting (De-
troit, 1839) by George A. P. Healy, in possession of Wis-
consin Historical Society . . ... 400
Portrait of James H. Lockwood. From oil painting by Samuel
M. Brookes, in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society . 474
[vii]
Officers, 19 1 o
President
William Ward Wight, M. A. . . . . Milwaukee
Vice Presidents
Hon. Emil Baensch .
Hon. Lucius C. Colman, B. A.
Hon. Burr W. Jones, M. A.
Hon. John Luchsinger
Hon. Benjamin F. McMillan
Hon. John B. Winslow, LL. D.
Manitowoc
La Crosse
Madison
Monroe
McMillan
Madison
Secretary and Superintendent
Reuben G. Thwaites, LL. D. . . " . . Madison
Treasurer
Hon. Lucien S. Hanks ..... Madison
Librarian and Assistant Superintendent
Isaac S. Bradley, B. S. . . . . Madison
Curators, Ex-Officio
Hon. James O. Davidson . . . . Governor
Hon. James A. Frear .... Secretary of State
Hon. Andrew H. Dahl .... State Treasurer
[ix]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Term expires at
Robert M. Bashford, M. A.
Jairus H. Carpenter, LL. D.
Lucius C. Colman, B. A.
Henry E. Legler, Esq.
Hon. Benjamin F. McMillan
Dana C. Munro, M. A.
Term expires at
Rasmus B. Anderson, LL. D.
Hon. Emil Baensch
Charles N. Brown, LL. B.
Frederic K. Conover, LL. B.
Alfred A. Jackson, M. A.
Burr W. Jones, M. A.
:ors, Elective
annual meeting in 1 9 1 o
William A. P. Morris, B. A.
Rev. J. M. Naughtin
Arthur C. Neville, Esq.
Robert G. Siebecker, LL. B.
Frederick J. Turner, LL. D.
Charles R. Van Hise, LL. D.
annual meeting in 191 1
Hon. Elisha W. Keyes
Hon. John Luchsinger
Most Rev. S. G. Messmer
J. Howard Palmer, Esq.
John B. Parkinson, M. A.
William A. Scott, Ph. D.
Term expires at
Thomas E. Brittingham, Esq.
Henry C. Campbell, Esq.
William K. Coffin, M. S.
Hon. Lucien S. Hanks
Nils P. Haugen, LL. B
Col. Hiram Hayes
annual meeting in 1912.
Rev. Patrick B. Knox
Maj. Frank W. Oakley
Arthur L. Sanborn, LL.B.
Hon. Halle Steensland*
E. Ray Stevens, LL. B.
William W. Wight, M. A.
Executive Committee
The curators, the secretary, the librarian, the governor, the secretary of
state, and the state treasurer, constitute the executive committee.
* Died August 20, 1910.
Preface
The documentary material published in the present volume
of our Collections continues and supplements that presented
in Volume xviii, which closed with the chronicle of marriages
in the Mackinac Register. We now publish the remainder of
the Register (1695-1821), comprising baptisms, interments,
and a few miscellaneous entries concerning parish affairs.
The significance of these mission records of old Mack-
inac is apparent only when considered as a whole. Their in-
terest is by no means confined to genealogical data concerning
the handful of inhabitants dependent on the fur-trade and on
the military post long dominating the strait between Lakes
Huron and Michigan ; in an historic sense, the document is an
epitome of life and manners throughout the entire "TJipper
Country" during the most picturesque period in its history.
Mackinac was the commercial entrepot for the shores and
hinterland of the vast region of the upper Great Lakes ; here
fur-traders, voyageurs, trappers, and aborigines, gathered each
summer to buy and sell peltries, and secure goods and neces-
sities for forest life and traffic. In a very practical way, also,
it was the social centre of that far-stretching wilderness which
included the small Wisconsin settlements of Green Bay, Che-
quamegon, and Prairie du Chien — official and commercial "de-
pendencies" of Mackinac.
At Mackinac was a church and, during the French regime
(1670-1760), a resident missionary priest. Under British
rule (1761-1796), ecclesiastical ministrations were less regu-
lar, for only an occasional call was expected from some itinerat-
ing pastor. On such occasions, nevertheless, word of the
priestly visitation was swiftlv passed around the lakes and to
[xi]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
the inland fur-trade settlements of Wisconsin and Michigan,
and whole families (many of them conspicuous in the early
annals of our State) at once hastened to Mackinac by batteaux
or canoes, to receive churchly sanction for their domestic ar-
rangements. Then were men and women married, and their
natural offspring baptized ; frequently the mother, if of Indian
origin, was also baptized; and often included in the ceremonies
were the family servants — domesticated Indians, who cheerfully
did the bidding of their masters: classed as panis (slaves), they
nevertheless were held in the feudal bonds of affectionate inter-
est and reciprocal service.
At these recurring ceremonies in the little wilderness
chapel — which at first was on the mainland, but after 1780 on
the island — there were not infrequently present, the entire resi-
dent population of the Mackinac neighborhood. Sometimes
the expected itinerant missionary failed to appear, for dis-
tances were great, and many were the exigencies of travel by
canoe; but lacking the ecclesiastic, civil ceremonies were sub-
stituted, and for that purpose the military officials, together
with the resident royal notary, or (under the American
regime) a justice of the peace, were pressed into service.
Even in the priestly presence, these same civil functionaries,
as well as visiting officials of other posts, stood as godfathers
for the white and half-breed children, or signed the marriage
record as witnesses. Such side-lights on official history are
of especial value in the absence of other records. They reveal
to us who commanded for the king, not only at Mackinac but
at far distant posts in the Upper Country; they inform us as
to the rank and position of historical personages ; they likewise
Bel forth the official arrangements during interregnums, or
periods between different military occupations — particularly
after Pontiac's savage conspiracy had expelled from this region
every British officer and soldier.
Following the Mackinac Register, we present a series of
documents on the fur-trade of the Northwest, between 1778
and 1815. This commerce of the forest profoundly affected
[xii]
1695-1821]
Preface
early Wisconsin life; indeed, during the first two centuries of
our Commonwealth's history, collecting furs for the European
market was the only industry that flourished within our bounds.
The trade developed a peculiar organism, which widely influ-
enced the social development not only of Wisconsin but of the
entire continental interior. Its personal relationships were com-
parable, in some degree, with those of the Scotch Highlands,
under which chieftain and retainer were joined by certain obli-
gations, and an unwritten code of custom. Although this system
reached its height of efficiency under the Scotch traders who
officered the great trading companies during the most prosper-
ous period of the Northwest fur-trade, it was directly inherited
from the French — being a legacy of the semi-feudal seignoirial
arrangements of French-Canadian agricultural life, modified
by the necessities of wilderness service. The chief trader was
the bourgeois — governor of pack and train, master of the canoe-
brigade, despot of the trading post. Under him were the com-
mis, or clerks — gentlemen's sons, apprentices to the business,
in arduous training for the responsibilities of a future bour-
geois. These youth shared the appointments of their chief,
slept in his tent, partook of his food, kept his accounts, and
wrote his letters ; and at his dictation, took charge of subsidiary
posts, or of side-expeditions to native villages supposedly rich
in peltries. If successful, the commis became in course of time
a wintering partner in the great company to which he was ap-
prenticed. The third and lowest stratum of the hierarchy was
composed of voyageurs — young, hardy French-Canadian peas-
ants, or half-breeds, who, rather than work in the narrow pa-
ternal fields, volunteered for this free life of the forests and
waterways, or were apprenticed thereto by their parents and
guardians. Their signed contracts (engagements) with the
bourgeois bound them to obey the latter in all things, to do his
will, seek his profit, avoid his damage, and refrain from trad-
ing on their own account. Their duties were to propel the
canoe, portage the craft and its cargo, provide for the comfort
of the bourgeois, pitch his tent, and prepare his meals; while
[ xiii ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
at the trading post, they were to hunt, fish, cut wood, beat and
pack furs, run the drouine, defend the post against hostile
attacks, and he on good terms with as many Indians as possible.
During his term of probation, the voyageur was known as a
mangeur de lard (pork-eater), a derisive term for a dainty
person, unused to wilderness fare and needing to be pam-
pered in food and living — equivalent to the "tenderfoot" of the
later American frontier. After one or two seasons the voy-
ageur became a hivenant (or winterer), able to endure priva-
tions and fatigues that would appal the inexperienced.
For the second document in our volume, we publish the jour-
nal of a commis, stationed at a northern Wisconsin trading-
post. Francois Victor Malnoit, coming of a good Canadian
family and allied by kinship to prominent traders of Green
Bay, was in 1804-05 sent to winter at Lac du Flambeau,
among the wild Chippewa of that region. His experiences are
typical of the annoyances and hardships incident to life at the
interior posts. In clear, vigorous language, with an occasional
outburst of emotion, he narrates the events of his daily life —
rivalry with a neighboring trader, drunken bouts among the
savages, transportation of goods over a difficult portage, trans-
mission of small equipments to the camps of the aborigines,
scarcity of provisions, isolation and loneliness, tricks to secure
large commercial gains. The record seems sordid and degrad-
ing enough, yet between the lines one obtains glimpses of the
compensations that attracted and held so many civilized men
to the wilderness trade — life in the open, lure of the stream
and forest, constant opportunity for adventure, independence
from conventional restraints.
Following the text of the journal, are given Malhiot's in-
voices and memoranda, which throw strong light on the eco-
nomics of the trade, the goods, the peltries, the methods of credit
and recovery, the curious terminology, the manner of account-
ing, and the numerous presents necessary to hold the good will
of savage, customers.
One of the interesting features illustrated by Malhiot's Jour-
[xiv]
1695-1821]
Preface
nal is the competition created by the rivalry of the two great
fur-trading companies of his time ; and their final coalition into
one monopoly. The heyday of the Northwest fur-trade was
the period of the formation and growth of these organizations,
roughly covered by the dates 1778 to 1815. The documents
succeeding Malhiot's account, have been selected as further
illuminating this period. As in the preceding three volumes
of the Collections, and for the same reasons, the Editor has
found it impracticable strictly to limit the range of his ma-
terial to the present boundaries of Wisconsin. It has been
necessary to consider the region of the upper Great Lakes as
the geographical unit within which Mackinac and Wisconsin
traders operated. The district was reached by two principal
routes: that of the lower Great Lakes, and that of the Ottawa
and French rivers and Georgian Bay. About the close of the
eighteenth century, however, there came into common use a
third route, via Lake Ontario and the portage from Toronto to
the lower arms of Georgian Bay. Detroit was the natural em-
porium for the lower lakes route, and Mackinac for the two
via Georgian Bay. After the latter stronghold fell into Amer-
ican hands, the British entrenched themselves some forty miles
to the eastward, on St. Joseph Island. But their fur-traders
still resorted to Mackinac, and sent thence canoes to Sault Ste.
Marie and the Superior posts, to Green Bay and the Mississippi
(via the Fox-Wisconsin portage), to the lesser lake posts at
Milwaukee and Chicago, and to trading stations on the Michi-
gan rivers of Grand and Kalamazoo.
The documents herein given consist principally of business
and friendly letters, interspersed with a few selected and typ-
ical official mauscripts — engagement contracts, customs clear-
ances, licenses, and territorial regulations for the trade. These
inform us as to the routes of travel, the vast extent of territory
over which the trade was scattered, the methods of transporta-
tion, and the constant intercommunication between commercial
centres in this great Northwest region. It is surprising to see
the intimacies which were maintained between members of the
[XV]
Wisconsin Historical Collections ivoi. xix
trading guild in places so remote from each other as St. Louis-
and Montreal, Grand Portage and Detroit
Of first importance, is the information here obtainable, on
the organization, management, and methods of the great cor-
porations. From the time of its formation, the North West
Company monopolized the field until the vigorous rivalry of
the X Y Company bade it look to its laurels. Then followed
five or six years of lawless, ruinous competition, terminated,
only by the union of the two in 1804. Meanwhile, the Michili-
mackinac Company paralleled the success of the "Nor*
Westers," in the lands south of the Great Lakes and along the
Mississippi. Shortly after this, a coalition headed by John
Jacob Astor began competition with the Michilimackinac con-
cern, and finally bought out a number of the lesser partners of
the latter; with them and a few of the chief Canadian traders,
he organized (1808) the South West Company. The success
of this venture led Astor into the Pacific Fur Company, and
the founding of Astoria. !Not until after the close of our sec-
ond war with England did he launch the American Fur Com-
pany, which in time profoundly influenced the destinies of
Wisconsin fur-traders.
The fur-trading corporations naturally tended toward monop-
oly. At the portages they secured the right of way; at the
emporia, the best of provisions and supplies; among the win-
terers, they had their choice of men ; and the returns of their
"brigades" were as valuable as the argosies of the Spanish main.
Their influence was felt not only in provincial, but in national
parliaments; diplomacy was not seldom exercised on their be-
half; and they dictated the terms of several international
treaties.
Many of the letters herein published are from early leaders
of l ho Western fur-trade, such as Alexander Henry, Forsyth,
Richardson, the Todds, McGills, Frobishers, and MacGillevray
of Montreal; and Ramsay Crooks and John Jacob Astor of
New York. From this material, we obtain also definite, some-
times illuminating, information concerning certain other per-
[xvi]
1695-1821]
Preface
sonalities, whom heretofore we have but vaguely known as
actors on the stage of Wisconsin history. Such are Pierre An-
taya, credited with being the founder of Prairie du Chien;
Julien Dubuque, early lead-miner, and patronym of a neigh-
boring Iowa town; James Aird, whom Lewis and Clark, re-
turning to civilization after their quest of the Columbia,
encountered far up on the Missouri ; Pierre Grignon the elder,
second "father of Green Bay;" and Jacob Franks and the
brothers Rocheblave, who traded with tribesmen towards the
•distant headwaters of the Mississippi and far into the Canadian
Northwest.
In addition to exhibiting the methods and scope of their
business operations, these letters show the personalities of the
men, the ties and amenities of courtesy and friendship between
them, the interest they felt in each other's families — particu-
larly in the children, whose education was often conducted in
Montreal. Herein are also set forth the personal needs of the
Northwest traders — their orders for clothes a la mode, for vio-
lins, and for table luxuries. In letters from the seaboard, are
heard echoes of European complications, of the successes and
defeats of Napoleon, of the capture of fur-laden vessels on the
high seas. Prom the interior, come incidental references to
the American Revolution, to the War of 1812-15 on the Great
Lakes, to the capture and siege of Mackinac (1812-14), to
the predatory British expedition to Wisconsin (1814), to the
safe passage of the fur-brigade in the same year, and to the
immunity generously granted by both contending nations to
Aster's agents.
Not until 1800, did the American influence begin seriously
to be felt. There was then a slight infiltration of American
traders, such as Henry Monroe Fisher at Prairie du Chien,
and John and Michael Dousman at Mackinac. The question
of American licenses arose; our territorial regulations were
found to interfere with established French and British usages ;
•certain of the traders were granted American civil commissions
as justices of the peace or as Indian agents — such as John
[ xvii ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Campbell and Nicolas Boilvin at Prairie du Chien, and Charles
Reaume at Green Bay. Zebulon M. Pike ascended (1805-06)
the Mississippi from St. Louis, and warned the British traders
against displaying their country's flag on American soil.
Within this period, likewise, the factory system of Govern-
ment trading houses was extended to the Northwest. Such es-
tablishments at Chicago, Mackinac, and the Sauk towns on the
Mississippi tended to destroy the equilibrium and profits of
the British traders. Moreover, the Embargo Act seriously af-
fected the obtaining of European supplies for the fur-trade. The
superintendent of Indian trade at "Washington wrote plausible
excuses, to be offered by Government factors to their tribal
customers; but meanwhile the enterprising Scotch trader, Rob-
ert Dickson, a British subject familiar to Northwest Indians,
was avoiding the terms of the embargo by conveying goods to
his clients in the Wisconsin forests, over a circuitous route
of extraordinary length — from Montreal to Pittsburgh, down
the Ohio River to its mouth, and thence up the Missis-
sippi to his old posts, which in earlier days he had reached
by the convenient Fox-Wisconsin waterway.
During the first decade of the nineteenth century, the
Shawnee head-chief, Tecumseh, together with his brother the
Prophet, instituted a new religious movement among the tribes-
men of the continental interior, which had for its object the
expulsion of the white man and all of the curses (including
fire-water) which the latter had introduced into the life of the
forest. This uprising culminated in the battle of Tippecanoe
(1811). Upon the declaration of war by the United States,
the succeeding year, most of the tribes and fur-traders of the
upper Great Lakes naturally enlisted under the banner of
Great Britain. A small knot of American sympathizers at
Prairie du Chien were forced to leave the country. Meanwhile,
the British fur-trade in our region flourished greatly, yielding
enormous profits, but there was always present the risk of cap-
ture of fnr cargoes by American vessels patrolling the lakes.
The American expedition to Mackinac in (lf814 sought not
[ xviii ]
1695-1821]
Preface
merely the recovery of that post from British hands, but the
capture of the North West Company's fleet of fur-laden canoes.
Consequently, goods from Montreal were detained in reaching
their destinations, and the amusing complaints of Jacob Franks
reveal that the Canadian traders were much alarmed at the
prospect.
With the signing of the Treaty of Ghent (December, 1814)
British fur-traders lost their ascendancy on American soil.
The important mart of Mackinac was restored to the Ameri-
cans ; the British-sympathizing tribesmen were ordered to bury
the tomahawk, and thereafter to submit to the dictates of their
American Father. British traders and Indian agents felt that
they had been betrayed by their own nation into the enemy's
hands. Removing their military posts to the nearest possible
sites within British boundaries — Amherstburg, opposite De-
troit, and Drummond Island, east of the Mackinac straits —
they now began a systematic course of cajolery and present-
giving, to counteract American overtures and keep the tribes-
men friendly to their former interests ; for it was hoped by the
agents of the king that the time might not be far distant when
some fresh clash between the nations would result in regaining
the Northwest for His Britannic Majesty. Such methods natur-
ally caused friction between the agents of the neighboring
powers. The indignant letters of William Henry Puthuff,
American agent at Mackinac, must be read in this light.
Troublous times now befell the Wisconsin-French traders,
who had been among King George's most faithful subjects.
The treaty had left them within the American border; but
they were allied to the British by every tie of consanguinity,
custom, self-interest, and association. Their lot was hard ; their
status was undefined, for now they were neither British sub-
jects nor American citizens. Living in the so-called "Indian
country," they could obtain no titles to the lands which they
had inherited from their ancestors, and long had cultivated.
Suspected and harassed by officious American agents, their furs
were seized, their licenses revoked, and every possible hindrance
[xix]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
placed in the path of the business from which they were accus-
tomed to obtain a livelihood for their families. Small wonder
that the better class of these old-time inhabitants of Wisconsin
at first seriously contemplated removal, with all their goods
and chattels, to some site in Upper Canada where they might
live in peace, unvexed by Yankee officials.
In this dilemma, the Wisconsin traders were befriended by
Astor and his agents. The long association which that astute
captain of forest commerce had had with the merchants of Mon-
treal and the Northwest, taught him that the fur-trade was an
intricate business, not easily acquired by the inexperienced;
he saw that his proposed operations in this region would be
more successful if conducted by those accustomed from child-
hood to traffic with the Indians. When the American Fur
Company was organized, it gave immediate employment to the
practiced traders of the Wisconsin settlements. Their Amer-
icanization, although a slow process, was thenceforth assured.
During the years immediately following the war (1815-17),
the Federal Government was likewise cementing its advantage
by establishing both posts and trading factories within the bor-
ders of Wisconsin. In 1816 Fort Howard was built at Green
Bay, and Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, with Indian
agencies auxiliary to both establishments. The Government
factory system was extended to the Northwest, no longer merely
as a benevolent institution to benefit the neighboring tribesmen,
but as an aggressive movement to diminish the power and in-
fluence of British traders. With the inauguration of this pol-
icy, a new phase of the fur-trade had begun — no longer was
competition limited to rival companies, but hereafter Govern-
ment agents and private traders competed one with the other
for the custom of the tribesmen. Now that the bars were down,
the traders themselves were disorganized ; a horde of adventur-
ous Americans rushed into the territory, and with new methods
and ideals entered the lists against the old established trading
families, who were allied to the Indians by intermarriage, and
trained in the traditional methods of the Franco-British
regimes.
[XX]
1595-1821]
Preface
We propose in our Volume xx, to continue these documents
on the fur-trade in Wisconsin, thereby furnishing opportunity
for a detailed study of this all-pervading commerce, throughout
our entire pre-t err i tori al period (until 1836).
The papers herein published have been obtained from sev-
eral sources. Aside from the Mackinac Register and Malhiot's
Journal, the material has in the main been secured from three
repositories : the Federal archives at Washington (except those
of the War Department, whose documents are not as yet avail-
able to students of American history), the admirable and exten-
sive private library of Clarence M. Burton, Esq., of Detroit,
and the library of our Society. The Federal material was ob-
tained through the systematic and efficient co-operation of
Dr. J. Franklin Jameson, director of the Bureau of Historical
Research in the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and of his
capable assistant, Mr. Leo F. Stock. Mr. Burton's generosity
in opening to us his collections of Northwestern material, and
aiding in the procurement of transcripts therefrom, is most
gratefully acknowledged. We are also much indebted to Ed-
ward E. Ayer, Esq., of Chicago, for transcripts of documents in
his large collections; to Charles Henry Gould, Esq., librarian
of McGill University, Montreal, for transcripts of the invoices
and accounts accompanying Malhiot's Journal; and to Col.
Crawford Lindsay of Quebec, who skillfully Englished the text
of that journal. The Hon. Edward Osgood Brown of Chicago,
furnished us with a faithful transcript of the Mackinac
Register. After this was in type, the original of the document
was courteously loaned to us for purposes of textual compari-
son and photography, by the Right Reverend Frederick Eis,
bishop of Marquette, through the medium of its custodian, the
Rev. M. C. Sommers, pastor of the parish of Ste. Anne, Mack-
inac Island. For information on local topography, genealogy,
and fur-trade usages, acknowledgments are due to the Hon.
James Bardon, president of the Superior Historical Society,
the Hon. Samuel S. Fifield, postmaster of Ashland, David H.
Grignon of Green Bay, Antoine Grignon of Trempealeau, and
[xxi]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
Miss Deborah Beaumont Martin, public librarian of Green
Bay. Prof. George Wagner of the University of Wisconsin
has aided us in the identification of several zoological refer-
ences. Mr. Wilberforce Eames, Lenox librarian of the 3STew
York Public Library, contributed interesting data relative to
the Astor family.
In editing, annotating, and indexing this volume, the Editor
has had valuable expert co-operation from Dr. Louise Phelps
Kellogg his editorial assistant on the Society's Library staff,
who in addition has Englished all of the French documents
except the Mackinac Register and Malhiot's Journal. In the
difficult work of transcribing and proof-reading, important aid
has been rendered by Misses Annie A. Nunns and Daisy G.
Beecroft, also of the Library staff.
September, 1910. R. G. T.
[ xxii ]
The Mackinac Register
1695-1821: REGISTER OF BAPTISMS OF THE MISSION OF ST.
IGNACE DE MICHILIMAKINAK.
[Translation from a transcript of the original, which latter is kept
in the parish church of Ste. Anne, at Mackinac] i
In nomine patris & filii ►{« & Spiritus sancti.
Extracts from the ancient Registers beginning the 28th of
April 16952
antoine mainard, son of the late maurice mainard.3
1 For a description of this document see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii,
p. 469, notes 95, 96. The records of marriages at Mackinac, from
1725 to 1821, extracted from the register, were reproduced in transla-
tion in that volume. We here publish a translation of the remainder
of the register — baptisms (1695-1821) and interments (1743-1806).
Lacunae are indicated by leaders ( ). Asterisks ( * * * )
indicate that the Editor has, for sake of space, omitted portions of the
entry. These omissions are mere repetitions of formal phrases, con-
veying no specific information concerning the event or the persons
interested, and are the same for each entry. Liberty has also been
taken with the form of the date — the spelled-out style of the
original being reduced to briefer numerical form. Further, in our
need of saving space in so bulky and repetitious a document, we have
eliminated the name of the holy day, where occasionally given in the
register. — Ed.
2 The following list of baptisms, giving merely date and name, was
copied from an older register into the new one, which latter was ap-
parently begun in 1741. The transcriber, probably a clerical, seems
to have freely added remarks of his own, indicating the status of the
persons at the time of the copying — e. g., "now madame l'anglade."
The few appended dates of deaths were obviously added later. — Ed.
3 Either the date for this entry was omitted, or it was April 28,
1695, the first entry in the old register. — Ed.
1
[1]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
27 September 1712 daniel, son of daniel villeneuve and
of domitille, now madame l'anglade.
12 July 1713 jean l'esperance, then 7 years of age; now
become a Savage at la pointe ; and antoine, then 4 years old.
8 December 1713 ignace, son of ignace du Kivage.
23 March 1714 coussant, son of ignace vieu and of ange-
lique du Sable.
8 March 1716 Anne, daughter of daniel Villeneuve and
of Mde l'anglade, the said Anne4 being now the wife of Sieur
guiori.
2 August 1716 michel du Rivage, son of old du Rivage.
3 April 1719 coussante [Chevalier], now wife of Sieur
bins.5
10 January 1720 marie Louise Therese [Villeneuve],
now wife of Sieur gautier.6
30 November 1720 louis Therese, son of J. B. Chevalier, etc.
17 May 1721 louis Therese, son of ignace vieu — died at
detroit in 1743.
13 May 1722 jean Baptiste villeneuve, son of madame
l'anglade.
18 March 1723 josephe marguerite, daughter of J. B.
Chevalier etc.
5 February 1724 agathe [Villeneuve], daughter of ma-
dame l'anglade, now wife of boishile [Boisguilbert].7
12 October 1724 marie (manon) daughter of J. B. Cheva-
lier.
20 October 1724 marie judith, now wife of Gendren —
died at St Joseph in 1744.
20 October 1724 marie ursule, daughter of J. B. Amiot, etc.
27 June 1725 judith, daughter of J. B. Reaume, etc.
4 See Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 136, note 74; also her marriage entry,
p. 472, and her death in 1757, post.— En.
r> The mother of Joseph Louis Ainse (Hins); for her second mar-
riage, see Ibid., p. 478. — Ed.
«The mother of Charles Gautier; see Ibid., p. 136, note 77.— En.
7 For this person, see Ibid., p. 135, note 75.— Ed.
[2]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
14 November 1725 coussant Stanislas, son of madame
l'anglade.
1 March 1726 anne Charlotte veronique (nannette),
daughter of J. B. Chevalier.8
22 April 1726 anne domitille (nanette), daughter of p.
parent9 etc.
5 June 1726 Catherine angelique, daughter of ignace vieu,
etc.
10 October 1727 Charles (l'avoine) son of J. B. Chevalier.
13 May 1728 marie francoise (manon), daughter of p.
parent.
5 October 1728 joseph maurice, son of J. B. Chevalier
etc.
9 May 1729 charles michel, son of monsieur l'anglade,10
etc.
1 October 1729 charlotte, daughter of p. parent11 etc.
2 May 1730 Nicolas, son of j. B. amiot, born on the 7th
of April.
22 July 1730 louis pascal, son of J. B. Chevalier.
15 October 1730 claude, natural son of claude Caron.
29 September 1731 Rene michel, son of marie, a slave of
menard.
28 March 1732 anne Therese Esther, daughter of J. B.
Chevalier12
20 March 1732 Marie louise, daughter of J. B. Amiot.
9 October 1732 pierre coussant, son of p. parent.
14 January 1733 philippe Bolon, son of gabriel Bolon.
11 July 1733 angelique, daughter of J. B. Chevalier.
2 August ,1733 antoine, then 5 years of age, son of one
la fortune.
8 For these persons, see Ibid., p. 136, note 80. — Ed.
» For her marriage record, see Ibid., p. 472. — Ed.
i° For a brief biographical sketch of Charles Langlade, see Ibid.t
p. 130, note 68.— Ed.
11 Her marriage record is in Ibid., p. 478. — Ed.
12 For her marriage to Etienne Chesnier, see Ibid., p. 479. — Ed.
[3]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xi*
5 April 1733 Charles dominique, 4 years old, son of p. du
plassy etc.
4 August 1733 maurice, son of pierre du plasse etc.
16 October 1733 marie anne, daughter of Thomas Blon-
deau.
1 January 1734 francois Renard, two years old, slave of
Mr du Braise.
1 January 1734 marie esther, daughter of augustin
Parche, then one year old.13
5 April 1734 marie anne, daughter of J. B. Amiot etc.
19 September 1734 marie Catherine, daughter of Sieur
des hetres, then two years old.
19 April 1735 pierre louis, a slave of Mr de Clignan-
court,14 20 years of age. (Rocambole, now an apostate and
become a Savage at Chicagou).
18 October 1734 joseph, son of p. parent.
14 May 1735 marie madaleine, 4 years old, -slave of Mr
Panglade.
22 May 1735 luc, son of J. B. Chevalier.
27 May 1735 jean louis, son of gabriel Bolon.
9 July 1736 Charles jean Baptiste, son of Charles Cha-
byer.15
28 September 1736 michel, natural son of T. Blondeau.
7 October 1736 marie francoise, slave of menard, 40 years
old.
26 November 1736 marie anne, daughter of p. parent.18
30 November 1736 louis josue, about 2 years old, son of
Sieur du lignon, since legitimized.
30 December 1736 Catherine, one year old, daughter of
Sieur Rochcveau, since legitimized.
5 January 1737 francoise, then about 20 years old, now
is Apparently from St. Joseph s — the full name is L'Archeveque.
Ibid., p. 476.— Ed.
i*A lessee of the fort at La Baye, 1747-49. Ibid., pp. 7-10.— Ed.
iTor this family, see Ibid., p. 255, note 51.— Ed.
i« For the marriages of this person, see Ibid., pp. 480, 482. — Ed.
[4]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
the lawful wife of Sieur Bocheveau — died at Sault Ste marie,
in January 1742.
29 September 1737 marie angelique, about 20 years old,
now the lawful wife of Sieur de lignon; died here on the 4th
September ,1748.
29 September 1737 francoise michelle, one year old,
daughter of Sieur du lignon.
13 October 1737 marianne, about 20 years old, now the
lawful wife of jean Baptiste, formerly a slave.
21 November 1737 marie, born of a slave of Sieur
Chevalier.
3 February 3 738 claude charles, son of Sieur Gau-
thier.17
29 April 1738 franchise veronique, two months old,
daughter of Sieur Bocheveau.
3 August 1738 ignace, son of pierre parent.
16 August 1738 augustin, son of a negress, then belong-
ing to Sieur marin urtubize.18
23 November 1738 pierre pascal, legitimate son of Sieur
hamelin, born on the 21st of February, 1735 — died at mont-
vert in 1743.
24 November 1738 louis Charles, legitimate son of Sieur
hamelin, born in the month of March, 1737.
25 November 1738 jacques, legitimate son of Sieur
hamelin, etc., born on the 22nd of January, 1733.
26^ November 1738 marianne, legitimate daughter of
Sieur hamelin, born on the 10th of January, 1731.
27 November 1738 marie Athanase, about 30 years old,
now the lawful wife of Sieur hamelin ; died at pointe St ignace
! in 1745.
1 27 December 1.738 ursule, daughter of J. B. Amiot, etc.
13 July 1739 anne, daughter of Sieur Francois menard,
born on the 18th of November, 1738.
17 For this nephew of Charles Langlade, and his assistant in com-
manding the Indians in time of war, see Ibid., index. — Ed.
J 18 This man was killed by a Sioux. Ibid., p. 78. — En.
[5]
Wisconsin Historical Collections Wot xix
14 July 1739 Therese, daughter of Sieur de lignon, etc;
born on the 19th of November, 1738.
26 July 1739 augustin, son of Charles Chaboyer etc.
31 July 1739 ignace, from 3 to 4 years of age, given to
this church.
27 September 1739 michel, son of a female slave of m40
Chevalier.
27 March 1740 jean Baptiste, son of Sieur gautier etc.
13 May 1740 jean Baptiste, born the previous 11th of
January, son of Sieur Rocheveau.
19 May 1740 angelique, born on the previous 25th of
April, daughter of Sieur du lignon.
4 June 1740 anne josephe, born on the 11th of the pre-
vious month, daughter of Sieur Parent.19
2 October 1740 marie francoise, born on the 4th of No-
vember 1739, daughter of Sieur hamelin.
20 May 1741 marie madelaine, about 5 or 6 years old,
slave of Sieur C. gautier.
2 June 1741 louis, son of Sieur j. B. Amiot, born on the
3rd of November 1740.
27 August 1741 jean Baptiste, son of Sieur hamelin.20
The Register from which the above summary is taken, Re-
mains in the archives of this mission.
Here follows the new Register :
In the year one thousand seven Hundred and forty-one, on
the twenty-fourth of October, I, the undersigned priest and
missionary of the society of Jesus in the mission of St ignace
at the post of Michilimakinak, did baptize Louis joseph Cha-
boyer, one day old, son of Charles Chaboiller and of marianne
Oherailler, his Wife. The godfather was joseph Ens, and the
godmother nannette Chevalier, both residing at the said post,
who have signed with me.
i» Her marriage is recorded in Ibid., p. 483. — Ed.
20 Possibly the Cahokia trader of 1780. See Ibid., p. 416 —Ed.
f6]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
Jean Baptiste Lamorinie/1 missionary of the Society of
Jesus.
NANETTE CHEVALIER; JOSEP HAINS.
May ,T2, 1742.22 * * * two adults * * * being
slaves : one of Mr de Blainville, the officer commanding this
post ;23 the other of Sieur hamelin, trader, residing at Sault Ste
Marie. The former — whom Reverend father de la morinie
wished to hold over the baptismal font and who is about twelve
years of age — took the name of jean Baptiste frangois; the
other, aged about fifteen years took the name of Joseph ; his god-
father was Charles ange Colet ; and his godmother marianne
Chevalier, wife of Sieur Chaboyer * * *
p. DU jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.2*
jean baptiste lamoeinie, of the society of Jesus.
M 1ST Chevalier; Charles collet.
May 19, 1742 * * * I Baptized conditionally25 marie,
legitimate daughter of Sieur gautier, a soldier of the garrison
21 For a Biographical sketch of this missionary, see Ibid., p. 474,
note 6. — Ed.
22 The preceding entry is given entire, with full formula; commenc-
ing with this entry, however, we adopt the method used in the mar-
riage register of modernizing the date form, and omitting repetitions
of formal phrases — these omissions being indicated by asterisks. See
ante, note 1.
23 Jean Baptiste Celoron, sieur de Blainville, commandant during the
absence of his elder brother, Pierre Joseph Celoron. See Id., xvii,
p. 367.— Ed.
24 For this missionary see Ibid., p. 370, note 1; xviii, p. 471, note
99.— Ed.
25 The expression "baptized conditionally" indicates that the child
has previously received lay baptism, at some time or place where a
priest was not available; it is now regularly baptized by one in holy
orders. On the margin of the original register, before the first entry
for 1747, appears this explanation, apparently an interpellation by
some later hand: "S. C. means conditionally (sous condition) when
the children have been baptized in case of necessity by doubtful
means. ' — Ed.
[7]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
of this post, and of Therese villeneuve his wife, born at la
manistic on the 9th of this month while they were returning
from winter quarters, and privately baptized on the same day
because she was thought in danger of death. The godfather
was Sieur guyori, voyageur, residing at this post; and the god-
mother mde l'anglade. * * *
P. dtj jAUNAY, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ANTOINE GTJILLORY; ANNE VlLLENEUVE.
May 20, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to Marie
Coussante, legitimate daughter of Joseph hins, master car-
penter, residing at this post, and of coussante Chevalier, his
wife, born this morning. The godfather was Mr de Celoron,
captain, knight of St Louis, Commanding for the King at this
post;26 and the godmother marie franchise alavoine, wife of
Sieur Chevalier, voyageur. * # #
p. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus. -
Celoeon; Joseph hains.
I baptized conditionally a child born on the 18th of this
month and privately baptized the same day through precau-
tion— the legitimate daughter of Pierre Parent, residing at this
post, and of Marianne Chaboyer, his wife. The godfather was
francois Joliet; and the godmother anne parant, sister of the
child, who gave her the name of Anne Catherine. She de-
clared that she could not sign her name.
Done at michilimakina the 20th of July, 1742.
C. GoDe Coquart, M. D. C. J.27
FRANCOIS IOLLIETTE.
I solemnly baptized the slave of M Langlade, an adult about
ze For this officer see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, p. 207, note 1; xviii,
p. 28, note 42. Apparently he had returned to Mackinac between
May 12 and May 20, 1742, to resume command. — Ed.
27 The letters indicate "Missionnaire de la Compagnie de Jesu." For
a brief biography see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 471, note 98. — Ed.
[8]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
22 years old. The godfather was Sieur jean Baptiste Mar-
sollete ; and the godmother Anne Villeneuve, wife of Sieur guil-
lory, residing at this post, who gave the young man the name of
Charles. 10th of September, 1742.
C. God. Coquart. M. D. C. J.
J. B. Marsollete; anne Villeneuve
Died at la grande Riviere the following winter.
I baptized a daughter of Bon Coeur, a negro, and of Mar-
guerite, a Negress, belonging to Sieur Boutin who is obliged to
winter here on his way to illinois. The godfather was Sieur
Nicolas Rose, a trader at this post; and [the godmother] Dame
Constante Chevalier, wife of Sieur hains, Master Carpenter,
who gave the child the name of Veronique. The godfather
signed with me ; the godmother declared that she could not sign
her name. Michilimakina, 19th of January, 1743.
C. God. Coquart, M. D. C. J.
Rose.
June 21 1743, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission paul am able, legitimate son of Charles Chaboyer, voy-
ageur, and of marianne chevalier, his wife, residing at this post,
born this morning. The godfather was Mr Rupalais Clayer;
and the godmother agathe Villeneuve, wife of Boisguilbert.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
AGATHE VILLENEUVE ; RUPALAIST ; ChARLE L/ANGLADE ;28
Chakles Chaboillez.
June 22, 1743, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, marie joseph, natural daughter of Sieur Thomas blondeau
and of a female Savage, aged about five years, whom both he
and demoiselle marie joseph de Celles, his present lawful wife,
28 This is probably the earliest extant signature of Charles Lang-
lade, then but fourteen years old. — Ed.
[9]
Wisconsin Historical Collections rvoi. xix
residing at this post, undertake to educate. The godfather was
Sieur jacques farly, voyageur.29 * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
early; Marie Joseph deselle.
June 24 [1743], I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, a young slave about twelve years old who was suffic-
iently instructed. The catechumen took the name of jean Bap-
tiste. The godfather was Sieur Germain, voyageur; and the
godmother nanette parent. * * *
P. du j aunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Cd. Germain; nanette paront.
July 17 [1743], I solemnly Peptized in the church of this
mission paul, the legitimate son of Sieur de lignon, voyageur
and of angelique, his wife — born at Sault Ste Marie, October 31
last. The godfather was the Sieur de Coulonge; and the god-
mother anne villeneuve, wife of Sieur guyori, who signed with
me. * * *
P. du j aunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Coulonge ; Dulignon ; La guillory.
Died at the Sault in the following autumn.
July 27 [1743], I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a slave of M. maugres, T3 or 14 years old, sufficiently
instructed and desiring holy Baptism, who took the name of
pierre Augustin. The Godfather was Monsieur Langlade ; the
godmother Mile, marie Catherine de lerige, wife of M. Bou-
rassa.30 * * * C. God. Coquart, Miss, de la C. de J.
LANGLADE ; M. CATERINE LeRIGE.
August 24, 1743, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission joseph Barthelemi, legitimate son of Sieur Thomas
2» For a brief sketch of Farly, later interpreter at Mackinac, see
Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 258, note 54.— Ed.
so For these residents of Mackinac, see Ibid., p. 136, note 78. — Ed.
[10 i
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
Blondeau, voyageur, and of demoiselle marie joseph de Selle,
his lawful wife, now residing at this post, born yesterday even-
ing. The godfather was Mr joseph dit carris, voyageur;31
and the godmother marianne alavoine, wife of j. B. Chevalier,
who signed with me. * * *
P. du jattway, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Joseph de caris ; manon lavoine chevalier ; thomas
Blondeau.
Jan. 6, 1744, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion Charles, a negro slave of Mr de vercheres commandant of
this post,32 from about 18 to 20 years of age, sufficiently in-
structed and desiring holy Baptism which he thought he had
probably never received and which I administered to him con-
ditionally. The godfather was Mr Charles Chaboiller, voy-
ageur; and the godmother Therese villeneuve, wife of Sieur
gautier. * * *
P. du jaotay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
THERESE VILLENEUVE; ChABOILLEZ.
March 25, 1744, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission Charles antoine, legitimate son of Sieur parent and of
his wife, marianne Chaboyer, residing at this post — the said
child having been born this morning. The godfather was Sieur
Charles Chaboyer; and the godmother Mile, marie joseph de
selle, wife of Sieur Blondeau who signed with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Charles Chaboillez; Marie joseph deselle.
May 1, 1744, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion Joseph louis, legitimate son of joseph hains, master carpen-
ter, and of his wife const-ante Chevalier, now residing at this
3i Consult Ibid., p. 472, note 1. — Ed.
82 For a sketch of this officer see Id., xvii, p. 274, note 1. — Ed.
[u]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
post — the said child having been horn this morning.33 The god-
father was louis Chevalier; and the godmother Marianne Che-
valier, wife of Sieur Chaboyer. * * *
P. DU jatoay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
L. Chevallier; Joseph hains; M. A. Chevalier; La
Chaboillez.
July 12 [1744], I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission francoise angelique, natural daughter of Claude Caron,
voyageur, adopted by Sieur Texier, voyageur and farmer of la
baye, aged about six years, held over the baptismal font by
Sieur pierre Kitchot, voyageur and farmer of la baye; and the
widow lacroix, her godfather and godmother; also Marie
josephe, natural daughter of one l'esperance, an apostate at la
pointe, adopted by Sieur l'ecuyer, a voyageur employed by the
farmers of la pointe, aged about six years, held over the bap-
tismal font by Mr l'anglade and the wife of Mr l'ecuyer, her
godfather and godmother * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE ; PIERRE RlCHOTTE ; CH. TAXIER ; BLONDEAU Le-
ctjye ; Erensoyse cardinalle, veuve lacroix.
July 21, 1744, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism in the
church of this mission to Marie, daughter of marie chevalier and
jaques Dumee — which child they acknowledged to be their le-
gitimate child at their marriage celebrated this same day.34
The godfather was M. de Ramesai, Captain of a company of the
marine detachment and commandant for the king at Nepigon ;
and the godmother marie francoise alavoine, wife of Sieur jean
Baptiste chevalier, who signed with me. * * *
C. God. Coquart, Missre D L. C. d. J.
MANON LaVOINE CHEVALIER.
83 For a biographical account of this child see Id., xviii, p. 309, note
29. The father was apparently a German named Heins, which was
gradually metaphorphosed into Ainse and Ainsee. — Ed.
34 For this marriage see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 470. — Ed.
[12]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism in the church of thi3
mission to Rene frangois, son of Rene Bourassa and of anne
Charlotte veronique Chevalier, born on the 31st of March of
this year, which child they acknowledged to be their legitimate
child at their marriage celebrated this same day. The god-
father was M. Bourassa, Father of Rene Bourassa ; and the god-
mother marie franchise alavoine, wife of Sieur jean Baptiste
chevalier, who signed with me, on the 3rd of August, 1744, at
mikilimakina. C. God. Coquart, M. J.
I solemnly administered holy Baptism in the church of this
mission to francoise marianne, legitimate daughter of Sieur du
lignon, voyageur, and of angelique his wife — the said little girl
having been born yesterday evening. The godfather was tnr
dailleboust de la Magdelaine ; and the godmother mde de quindre
who signed here with me. Done at Mikilimakina this 5th day
of August, 1744.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Dailleboust de la magdelaine; Dulignon; Beletre ds
QUINDRE.35
I solemnly administered holy baptism to a young girl Savage,
aged about 10 or 12 years, a slave of Boiguilbert, sufficiently in-
structed and desiring holy Baptism. She took the name of
anne ; her godfather and godmother were Sieur jean marie Blon-
deau, voyageur; and domitille, wife of mr langlade. michili-
makina, 27th of September 1744.
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the Society of Jesus.
J. M. Blondeau ; agathe villeneuve, la Guilbau.
Feb. 1, 1745, I baptized in the church of this mission pierre
louis, legitimate son of Sieur Charles Chaboyer and of Mari-
anne Chevalier, His wife, residing at this post — the said child
35 This lady belonged to a Detroit family, where her brother wa3
last French commandant of regulars and her husband commandant of
militia. See Ibid., p 234, note 14— Ed.
[13]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
having been born last night. The godfather was louis cheva-
lier ; and the godmother Charlotte parent. * * *
P. DU jaunaYj miss, of the society of Jesus.
C. CHABOILLEZ; MARIANNE chaboillez parent.
April 30, 1745, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion Thomas, legitimate son of Thomas Blondeau and of demoi-
selle marie joseph de Celle, his lawful wife, residing at this
post — the said child having been born last Sunday, the 25th of
this month. The godfather was Mr- de Tanglade ; and the god-
mother agathe villeneuve, wife of Sieur Boisguilbert who signed
here with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
AGATHE LA BOIGUILBER j TlIOMAS BlONDEAU.
He died on the 9th of July following.
May 16, 1745, I solemnly baptized (Conditionally, however,
because he had been privately baptized the day he was born by a
servant) joseph, legitimate son of Gabriel Bolon and of susanne
Menard, his wife, now residing at this post — the said child
having been born at quiquanamaso, the wintering place,36 on
the 20th of March last. The godfather was Sieur Joseph des
Caris, voyageur ; and the godmother Agathe villeneuve, wife of
Sieur Boisguilbert. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Joseph denary; agthe laboiguilber ; Gabriel bollon.
July 11 [1745], I solemnly baptized a young Sauteux Wu-
man Savage, Sister of the late marie Athanase, wife of Sieur
so Quiquanamoso (usually spelled Kikkanamazoo) is the Indian word
for the river now corrupted into the form Kalamazoo. The word is
said to signify "bubbling or boiling water." Such entries as this and
similar ones in the register show how French traders scattered along
the shores of the lakes and rivers of the upper country, returned to
Mackinac in the summer to traffic for their skins, and brought with
them their families for marriage, baptism, etc. — Ed.
[14]
1695-18211
Mackinac Baptisms
Charles hamellin, now residing at Sank Ste marie, the said wo-
man being about 30 years old, desiring holy Baptism and being
sufficiently instructed ; she took the name of Marie Charlotte in
holy baptism and was held over the sacred font by Mr Charles
du Plessis de Morampont, the Officer Commanding for the King
at Camonettiqouia ;37 and by Angelique, wife of Sieur de lig-
non ; the former signed here with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Du Plessis de morampont ; Coulonge, witness.
The same day, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion a young female slave of Sieur Charles hamelin, about 20
years of age, desiring holy Baptism and sufficiently instructed,
who took the name -of marie Athanase according to the desire of
her deceased mistress and was held over the sacred font by Mr
de Coulonge, and Mde Bourassa the elder who signed here with
me. Done at michilimakina this 11th of July, 1745.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Coulonge ; Marie Cterinne Lerige de Bourassa.
She died * * * on January 24, 1748, and was buried in
the church the following day beside her deceased mistress.
August 25, 1745, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Elizabeth Ionise, legitimate daughter of pierre locat, voyageur,
and of josette Chevalier, his wife, now residing at this post.
The godfather was Mr de Noyelle, the younger, an officer of the
troops, Second in command for the King at this post ;38 and the
godmother Manon Alavoine, wife of Sieur Chevalier, voyageurr
- Charles Denis Duplessis, Sieur de Morampont, was born in 1704
and married in 1742. After his term of service at Kamanistigoya, he
was appointed (1749) prevost of the court at Quebec, which office he
held until the British conquest. He would appear to have then retired
to France, where in 1774 his wife applied for a pension. — Ed.
38 Charles Joseph des Noyelles, for whom see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii,.
p. 462. He appears to have retired to France after 1760. — Ed.
[15]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
who signed here with me. The said child was born yesterday
morning. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Noyelle; manon lavoine chevalier.
September 28, 1745, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission Marianne, legitimate daughter of Andre Skayamick
dit landroche, voyageur, and of anne parent, his wife, now re-
siding at this post. The said child was born this morning. The
godfather was Sieur jean Marie Blondeau, voyageur; and the
godmother Marianne Chaboyer, wife of parent, who signed here
with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
MARIANNE CHABILLES PAR ANT ; J. M. BLONDEAU.
October 3, 1745, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission joseph augustin, legitimate son of Claude Germain
Gautier and of Therese villeneuve, his wife, now residing at
this post ; the said child having been born this morning. The
godfather was Mr hnglade; and the godmother agathe villen-
euve, wife of Boisguilbert who signed here with me. * * *
P. du j aun ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE ; La BOXGUILBER.
March 4, 1746, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism
to and baptized conditionally Therese,39 born on the 2nd of the
same month and privately baptized by the midwife because she
was considered in danger of death, being the legitimate daughter
of Sienr parent, voyageur, and of marianne chaboyer, his wife,
residing at this post. The godfather was alexis Sejournee, ser-
geant of the troops of the garrison of this post; and the god-
mother Marie f rancoise, daughter of Sieur parent and sister of
the newly baptized infant. * * *
P. du j aunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ALKXrs SeJOURNE; PIERRE PARANT.
She was married in 1763; see Id., xviii, p. 486 — Ed.
[16]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
May 4, 1746, I administered holy baptism to marianne
marthe, legitimate daughter of Charles chaboyer and of mari-
anne Chevalier, his wife, residing at this post, the said little
girl having been born on Friday, the 8th of April on the other
side, at the settlement of St pierre and St paul, where they
spent the winter. The godfather was noel piquet; and the
godmother the wife of Sieur Chevalier, voyageur, who signed
here with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
noelle piquette ; manon iiavoine chevalier j charles
Chaboielez; Marie Anne chevalier chaboillez.
June 14, 1746, I administered holy baptism to louis, legit-
imate son of amiot and marianne, his wife, now at this post;
the said child having been born at the Riviere aux plains 40 near
chikago at the beginning of the month of October last. The
godfather was Mr. louis de la Corne, Captain Commanding for
the King at this post ; 41 and the godmother MUe- Catherine la
plante, wife of mr. Bourassa who signed here with me. * * *
P. du j attn ay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
LACORNE ; MARIE CAT^RINNE LeEIGE ; AMIOT.
June 29, 1746, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a woman Sauteux Savage, Sister of the late francoise,
wife of Rocheveau, about 25 years of age, Sufficiently instructed
and desiring holy P>aptism ; who took the name of francoise.
The godfather was Mr de ISToyelle, second in Command at this
post; and the godmother Mlle Bourassa, who aigned here with
me. * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
NOYELLE, fils; MARIE C. LAPLATE.
40 Now Des Plaines River, in Illinois. The word is derived from a
French term for the soft swamp maple tree. — Ed.
41 On this officer consult Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, p. 448. — Bo.
2
[17]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
June 29, 1746, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission Elisabeth, daughter of francoise, baptized this morn-
ing, and of a French father not yet declared, aged about three
years. The godfather was paskal Chevalier; and the god-
mother Catherine Rocheveau. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Louis pascal chevalier.
July 3, 1746, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission angelique, daughter of a woman savage belonging to
Sieur Chevalier, voyageur, whose father the mother declared to
be louis neurs d'epee, born this morning. The godfather was
one marcot; and the godmother esther Chevalier, daughter of
Sieur chevalier, both of whom declared that they could not sign
their names. * * . *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
September 26, 1746, I solemnly baptized in the church of
this mission josephe marguerite, daughter of Thomas Blondeau
and of demoiselle marie joseph de selle, his lawful wife; the
said child was born last night. The godfather was Mr de 'Noel,
the younger, Commandant of this post, and the godmother Anne
Villeneuve, wife of Sieur Blondeau, called nanette.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Noyelle, fils; Anne Villeneuve; Thomas Blondeau.
October 9, 1746, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission Agathe, daughter of Marie Charlotte, a woman Savage
baptized last year and of a French father not yet declared, born
in the month of February last. The godfather was francois
jerosme, a Savage; and the godmother agathe Villeneuve, wife
of Sieur Boishibert [Boisguilbert] * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
f. Sauvage; agathe villeneuve.
[18]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
March T7, 1747, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism
to Anne Catherine, daughter of Rene Bourassa, the younger,
and of anne chevalier, his wife, born the day before and pri-
vately baptized at once because she was deemed in danger of
death. The godfather was Mr Chevalier; and the godmother
Mlle Bourassa, wife of Monsieur Bourassa, the elder. * * *
P. r>u jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
M Cateeine Leeige.
May 7, 1747, I baptized (S. C.) in the church of this mission
Therese, daughter of pierre locat and of josephe chevalier, his
lawful wife, now residing at Sault Ste Marie,42 where she was
born on the 29th of January last. The godfather was Michel
Rocheveau, voyageur, residing at Sault Ste marie; and the god-
mother the wife of Mr langlade. * * *
P. dtj jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
MICHEL BOCHEVEAU.
May 23, 1747, I solemnly baptized (S. C.) Charles Stanislas,
legitimate son of Mr Caesaire de Quindre d'ouville and of Mde
franchise marianne Beletre, his wife, returning from St. joseph
and about to start for Montreal. The said child was born at
St joseph on April 29, 1746. The godfather was Mr du plessis
Morampont, an officer of a company of the marine detachment,
commanding for the King at Cammanettigoia ; and the god-
mother the wife of Mr Tanglade. * * *
P. dtj jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
DlTPLESSIS DE MOEAMPONT ; CeSEEE DE QUINDEE ; BeLESTEE
DE QUINDEE. -
June 17, 1747, I solemnly baptized (S. C.) joseph Marguer-
ite,43 legitimate daughter of Sieur de lignon, voyageur, and of
« For the marriage of these residents of Sault Ste. Marie, see Id.y
xviii, p. 470.— Ed.
« For her marriage see Ibid., p. 485. — Ed.
[19]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
angelique, his wife, residing at Sault Ste Marie. The said
child was born at the beginning of the month of May last at the
said Sault Ste Marie. The godfather was Mr de Koyel, the
younger, commandant of this post; and the godmother dlle
Marie joseph de Celle, wife of .Thomas Blondeau who signed
here with me. * * *
P. du jattnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
JsToYELLE, flls ; DE SELLE BoNDEATJ.
June 20, 1747, 1 solemnly baptized (S. C.)' marie joseph,44 le-
gitimate daughter of jean baptiste jourdan and of josephe
* Reaume, residing at la Baye, the said child having been born at
la baye in the month of April last. The godfather was Mr de
Noyel, the younger, commandant of this post; and the god-
mother M.lle Bourassa, wife of Mr Bourassa, the elder, who
signed here with me. * * *
P. dtj jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
NOYELLE, fils ; MARIE LA PLENTE BOURASSA.
July 7, 1747, I solemnly baptized marie franchise, legitimate
daughter of Gabriel Bolon and of Susanne Menard, his wife,
residing at this post ; the said child having been bom yesterday
evening. The godfather was etienne auger, voyageur ; 45 and
the godmother marie francoise la Croix. * * *
P. du jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Etienne auger ; mari fransose la crix ; Gabriel bollon.
July 22, 1747, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion a female neophyte, sufficiently instructed and desiring holy
baptism, about 35 years old, born at nipissing, and her two
children: the elder about three [thirteen] years, and the
younger about nine years of age, both born in the direction of
4* One of the two sisters married July 24, 1764; see Ibid., pp. 486,
487.— En.
« For this person see Ibid., p. 8, note 14. — Ed.
[20]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
matchidock of the aforesaid neophyte and of jean Baptiste Tel-
lier dit la fortune.40 The neophyte took the name of Marie jo-
sephe in holy baptism. Her godfather was Mr de Noyelle, the
younger, the commandant of this post ; and the godmother dlle
de Selles, wife of Sieur Thomas Blondeau, voyageur. The
older child took the name of francois Xavier; his godfather
was Sieur Baribeau, voyageur;47 and his godmother Agathe
Villeneuve, wife of Sieur Boishibert. The other took the name
of Bene francois; his godfather was Bene Bourassa, the
younger ; and his godmother Esther Chevalier, all of whom
signed here with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Noyelle, fils ; f. Baribeau ; Marie Joseph de Selle ;
AGATHE VILLENEUVE ; JEAN TeLLIER ; RENE BOURASSA, fils.
July 22, 1747, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, three children of jean Baptiste Tellier dit la fortune and
of marie josephe, a Nipissingue woman baptized this morning:
the first about six years, the second about three years old, the
last one born in the month of February last, all three born in
the direction of Matchidock. The godfather and godmother of
the 1st were ignace Bourassa and Charlotte Parent who gave
him the name of ignace. The godfather and godmother of the
second were Antoine St Germain and Susanne Bolon who gave
him the name of joseph. The godfather and godmother of the
3rd were Mr de Coulonge and Manon Chevalier, wife of du May
who gave her the name of marie joseph — who signed here with
me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ignace Bourassa ; coulonge ; antoine St Germain ; jean •
TELLIER.
46 For the marriage of these two persons see Ibid., p. 474. In the
names and ages of the children the two entries do not agree. — Ed.
47 Possibly the person for whom Baraboo River in Sauk County, Wis.,
was named. — Ed.
[21]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 22, 1747, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism to
jean Baptiste, horn in the month of March of the previous year
of a female slave of Sieur Chahoyer and privately baptized a
few days afterward. The said slave, called madeleine, declared
that the father of the child was Daniel villeneuve. The god-
father and godmother were Charles l'anglade and Angelique
Chevalier. * * *
P. DU j a un" ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
CHAKLE LANGLADE.
I, the undersigned, baptized solemnly and according to the
rite of our mother, the holy Catholic, apostolic and roman
Church, a female slave of me Marin de la periere. The god-
father was Mr de noyelle, the younger, commandant of the post
of michilimakina ; and the godmother Madame Magdelaine vil-
iers de la pereire. In testimony whereof I have signed on the
1st of September 1747.48
jean Baptiste lamoeinee, jesuit
!N0YELLE, fils; MAGDELAINE DE VILLIERS LaPERIERRE.49
October 25, 1747, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a child about a year old, the illegitimate son of one
dion, a voyageur, and of a slave now belonging to Catherine, an
ylinois woman, the lawful wife of one Cadieu residing at
ylinois. The godfather was Mr Bourassa, the elder; and the
* » Note on original MS.: "This entry is badly put down in the
register because I was interrupted while writing." — Ed.
She was the eldest daughter of Nicolas Antoine Coulon, sieur de
Villiers, killed at Green Bay in 1733. Her first husband was Francois
Duplessis-Fabert, the cadet killed with her father (see Wis. Hist.
Colls., xvii, p. 189). In 1837 she married Claude Marin, sieur de la
Perriere, brother of Capt. Paul Marin, commandant in Wisconsin.
Her third husband was Joseph Damours, whom she married in 1754 at
Quebec. — Ed.
[22]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
godmother the aforesaid Catherine, wife of Cadieu, who gave
him the name of louis Rene at the Sacred font. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
+ mark of the said Catherine ; Bourassa.
On the [blank in MS.] of the month of August, 1747, Rev-
erend father de la morinee Baptized a young child about 3 years
old, natural son of Charles Chevalier tallier and of a Sioux
slave. The said child was born at lac de la pluye [Rainy
Lake]. The godfather was poncelet Batillot dit Clermont, a
soldier of the garrison; and the godmother louise Bolon, who
gave him the name of pierre in holy Baptism, in the presence
of the other witnesses, undersigned, whom I have heard on
October 31, 1747 at michilimakina.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
PONALET BATILLOT DIT CLERMONT, soldier J COLONGE f° BOU-
EASSA.
December 6, 1747, I baptized in the church of this mission
pierre Charles, natural son of Charles hamelin and of a female
Savage called Catherine, of the Sauteux nation, daughter of the
pagan Savage called mouus — born on the 15th of February of
the previous year at Sault Ste Marie. The godfather was Mp
langlade esquire; and the godmother Anne villeneuve, wife of
Sieur Blondeau. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE ; ANNE VlLLENEUVE ; BLONDEAU.
Died a few days afterward.
February 1, 1748, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a female Saulteux Savage about twenty years old,
daughter of the savage called Mouus, mother of the child men-
tioned above, desiring holy Baptism and being sufficiently in-
5« Coulange signed here by mistake, instead of after the second suc-
ceeding entry. This having been noticed, he signed again in the proper
place. — Ed.
[23]
Wisconsin Historical Collections tvoi. xix
structed, who took the name of Marie Athanasie in holy Bap-
tism.51 Her godfather was Mr d'aillebout de Coulonge; and
her godmother Mde l'anglade. * * *
pere du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Coulonge.
February 28, 1748, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Bap-
tism to jacques, son of jacques du may and of marie madelaine
Chevalier, his wife, residing at this post. The said child was
born on Sunday last, the 25th, and was privately baptized the
same day, being in danger of death. The godfather was Mr
jacques le Gardeur de St Pierre, lieutenant in a company of the
marine detachment and commanding for the King at this post ;52
and the godmother demoiselle marie Catherine la plante, wife
of Mr Bourassa. * * *
P. du jatoay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Legardeur De St Pierre ; marie Caterine Lerige ;
JACQUE DlJMAY.
March 17, 1748, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
Angelique, legitimate daughter of pierre pelletier and of marie
francoise parent, his wife, residing at this post. The said child
was born January 18 last on the other side where they spent the
winter and was privately baptized shortly afterward through
fear of unforeseen accidents. The godfather was Rene provan-
cher ; and the godmother Charlotte Parent, her aunt. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Rene Provanche
July 7, 1748, I Supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
and baptized conditionally Augustin, son of the late Augustin
Parcheveque and of Marie Reaume, his wife, residing at St
Joseph. The said child was born at St joseph on January 9,
r>i For her marriage see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 475.
62 This officer's career is noted in Id., xvii, pp. 165, 166. — Ed.
[24]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
1746, and was privately baptized the same day. The godfather
was mr- Augustin moras de l'anglade, esquire ; and the god-
mother mlle* Bourassa, the elder. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesns.
Langlade ; marie Catherinne lerige.
July 21, 1748, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism to
and baptized conditionally Catherine, daughter of Charles per-
sonne dit la fond, blacksmith, and of Susanne Beaume, his wife,
residing at la Baye. The said child was born at la Baye on the
14th of April last and was privately baptized, being considered
in danger of death. The godfather was Mr de Coulonge; and
the godmother Catherine l'archeveque, wife of Sieur joutras.
"x" * * P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
coulonge ; Catherine lathre [Larche] ; Susane beaume
September 8, 1748, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, an adult woman sufficiently instructed, about twenty
years of age, the slave of Sieur Bourassa, the elder, a former
voyageur, desiring holy baptism. She took the name of
Marianne and was held over the baptismal font by Mr de Cou-
longe, her godfather; and by Mlle Bourassa, her mistress and
godmother, who signed here with me.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Coulonge; Caterine la plente [Lerige Bourassa]
January 21, 1749, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission marie josephe, legitimate daughter of the late joseph
Charles hamelin and of marie Athanasie, his lawful wife. The
said child was born last month. The godfather was Mr jacques
le Gardeur de St pierre, Captain Commanding for the King at
this post ; and the godmother demoiselle Marie Catherine 1'erige
de la plante, wife of Sieur Bourassa, a former voyageur, * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Legardeur de St Pierre; marie Catherinne La plante
Bourassa.
[25]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
January 27, 1749, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, Blaise, legitimate son of jean Baptiste Amiot, Armorer,
and of Marianne, his lawful wife. The said child was horn thia
morning. The godfather was Mr- the Chevalier de Repentigny,
the officer second in Command;53 and the godmother Agathe
Amiot, sister of the said child. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
amiot ; Le Gardeur, ch1" Repentigny.
Died at the beginning of October, 1750
March 11, 1749, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, Angelique,54 born yesterday evening, legitimate daugh-
ter of Sieur Alexis Sejournee surnamed Sans Chagrin, a Ser-
geant of the troops, and of angelique Taro, his lawful wife.
The godfather was Mr le Gardeur de St Pierre, Captain com-
manding for the King at this post; and the godmother Agathe
Villeneuve, wife of Sieur boisguilbert. * * *
P. du jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Legardeur De St Pierre ; 'agathe villeneuve ; San-
chagrin.
March 22, 1749, I baptized conditionally an illegitimate child
horn of Constante Chevalier, widow of the late hins and of a
father whom she would not name. The child was privately bap-
tized through fear of accident. The godfather was Antoine
janis who gave him his name and signed here with me; and the
godmother was esther Chevalier. * * *
The father of the child is Mr- dequindre, according to the
declaration of the lady.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
antoine janisse; Barthelemi Blondeau.
July 4, 1749, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism and
baptized conditionally jean Baptiste, legitimate son of jean
M A note on this officer is given in Id., xviii, pp. 35, 36. — Ed.
54 This child was married May 4, 1764; Ibid., p. 486. — Ed.
[26]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
Baptiste jourdain and of Marie joseph Beaume, his wife, born
at la Baye in the month of November last and privately bap-
tized through fear of accident. His godfather was ignace Bou-
rassa and his godmother Agathe Amiot. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Ignace Bourassa.
July 17, 1749, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion a young man about 15 years old, a slave of one Texier dit
la vigne, voyageur, who was ill, had been sufficiently instructed
previously and desired baptism for a long while. The Catech-
umen took the name of xlntoine in holy baptism. The god-
father was Mr- la plante ; and the godmother Mde Bourassa, hi3
sister, who signed here with me. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
marie Catherinne Laplante ; Bartiielemi Blondeau;
urbain texier.
August 29, 1749, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
Anne esther and marie josephe, daughters of jean Manian
Tesperance and of a Sauteux woman Savage of la pointe ;55 the
former about six years and the latter about three years old.
The godfather of Anne esther was Mr< Godefroy, an officer of a
•company of the marine detachment ;56 and the godmother M119
esther Chevalier. The godfather of Marie josephe was Mr de
Coulonge; and the godmother Mlle Angelique Chevalier. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Godefroy ; Coulonge ; Barthelemi Blondeau.
55 For the marriage of these persons, see Ibid., p. 476. — En.
5« Jean Baptiste Godefroy, member of the younger branch of the
same family as the Sieurs de Linctot. He was born in 1723, made
second ensign in 1748, first ensign in 1751, and lieutenant in 1757.
During the French and Indian War he served on the Ohio in 1756,
and the following year accompanied Rigaud's detachment to the re-
inforcement of Crown Point. He was present at the siege of Mon-
treal in 1760, and went to France with the returning troops. In 1763
he received a passport to return to Canada, where he appears to have
died before 1767.— Ed.
[27]
Wisconsin Historical Collections Roi. xix
August 13, 1749, I Solemnly baptized Alexis, son of jean
manian Pesperance, about eight years old, and Rose, a Sauteux
woman Savage of la pointe, about thirty-five years old, suffi-
ciently instructed and desiring holy baptism, the mother of the
aforesaid Alexis. The godfather of Alexis was Mr- Alexis Se-
journe dit Sans Chagrin, a sergeant of the troops; and the god-
mother Agathe Amiot. The godfather of Rose was Mr Bou-
rassa, a former voyageur; and the godmother Mde langlade.
* * * P. du jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Sanschagrin ; Bourassa
November 19, 1749, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, Angelique, legitimate daughter of Sieur pierre Parent,
voyageur and of Marianne Chaboiller, his wife, residing at this
post. The said child was born yesterday evening. The god-
father was jean Baptiste jasmin, voyageur; and the godmother
Charlotte Parant. * * *
P. du jaukay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
j. b. jasmin ; Parant. i
March 17, 1750, I administered holy baptism to Basile, born
this month, son of Marianne, a slave of Sieur Bourassa, voy-
ageur, whom she declared to belong to Sieur jasmin, also a
voyageur. The godfather was the said Sieur Bourassa; and
the godmother Mde langlade. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Bourassa.
March 24, 1750, I administered holy baptism to ignace fran-
cois xavier, son of agathe villeneuve amiot, daughter of Sieur
Amiot, born this day, whom she declared to belong to Sieur
ignace Bourassa dit la Ronde, son of Sieur Rene Bourassa now
wintering at la grande Riviere. The godfather was Mr- du
plessis faber, Captain, Knight of St Louis, first Captain and
[28 1
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
Commanding his majesty's infantry in Canada, Commandant of
this post ;67 and the godmother Mlle Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Marie Caterinne la plante bourassa; Duplessis faber;
Amiot.
Died on the 1 7th of July following.
March 28, 1750, I solemnly baptized in the church of thia
mission Charles, a young man about eighteen years old, a slave
of Sieur Bene Bourassa, sufficiently instructed and desiring holy
baptism. The godfather was Sieur Charles langlade, a Cadet in
the troops ; and the godmother MUe Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
April 6, 1750, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, jean frangois Regis, a young slave about seven years old,
given to this mission last year out of, gratitude by Mr- the
Chevalier de la verendreye on his return from the extreme
West58 — the said child being well instructed and demanding
holy Baptism. His godfather was the Sieur etienne chenier,
and his godmother Charlotte parent. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ETIENNE CHENIER | PIERRE DeMAIS J BAliTELEMI BLONDEAU.
May 10, 1750, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion antoine, son of a panise [slave woman] of Sieur Chaboyer,
voyageur, and of an unknown father. The said child was born
this day. The godfather was Sieur la guerse ; and the god-
mother the wife of the said Chaboyer. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ANTOINE LA GUERECIIE * MARIE ANNE CHEVALIER; BARTELEMI
BLONDEAU.
57 For this officer, commandant at Mackinac (1750-53), see Wis.
Hist. Colls., xvii, p. 17; xviii, p. 61.— Ed.
Evidently Pierre Gautier de la Verendrye junior, for whom see
Ibid., p. 213, note 67— Ed.
[29]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
May 26, 1750, I baptized in the church of this mission marie
franchise, born about two months ago of a Scioux female slave,
whom she declares to belong to a Frenchman called chevreanx
now in the north. The godfather was joseph la Croix dit mar-
antot; and the godmother marie franchise, his sister, wife of
Sieur jasmin. * * *
P. dit jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
FEANSOISE LA CEOIX JACEMAIN ; BAETELEMI BLONDEAU.
July 31', 1750, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, a child, Marin, legitimate son of Jean manian dit l'esper-
ance and of Rose, his wife, born at the Riviere de vasynagan on
the 15th of last month [May]. The godfather was Mr Marin,
the younger, commandant at la pointe de Chagouamigouay ;59
and the godmother mlle Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Marin, fils ; La baptiste ; Boueassa.
He died the following winter.
October 12, 1750, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission Louis Poncelet, legitimate son of jean Baptiste la fa-
tiere dit jasmin and of francoise hubert de la Croix, his wife,
residing at this post.60 The said child was born last night.
The godfather was Sieur poncelet Batillo ; and the godmother
Mde Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
PONCELET BATILLO DIT CLERMONT j JEAN BAPTISTE LA
Faitiee; M. Cateeinne Leeige.
February 11, 1751, I baptized in the church of this mission
Marie Angelique, natural daughter of Constance Chevalier,
widow bins, born this month, whose father she did not declare.
The godfather was Etienne Chenier; and the godmother the
For this officer Bee Id., xvii, p. 315; xviii, p. 97.— Ed.
For the marriage of these persons see IMd., p. 477. — Ed.
[30]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
wife of Sieur Alexis Sejourne dit Sans Chagrin, Sergeant of the
troops. * * *
P. du jaujnjay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
E CHENIE ; MARI ANGELIQUE TaRO.
October 8, 1751, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission franceis hyppolite, legitimate son of Charles Chaboiller
and of marianne Chevalier, his wife, residing at this post. The
said child was born last night. The godfather was Mr- du
plessis, the younger, an officer of the troops, second in command
at' this post ;61 and the godmother angelique Chevalier, the aunt
of the aforesaid child. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Chaboilljez ; Duplessis faber, fils.
December 10, 1751, I Baptized according to the usages and
rite of our mother the holy catholic, apostolic and roman churchr
marie Anne [daughter of] Chartres and of agnes agathe amiot,
married together. Her godfather was nicolas amiot, her uncle ;
and her godmother marianne Amiot her grandmother. She was
ten days old when I Baptized her. In testimony whereof I
have signed without a witness.
jean Baptiste lamorinie, Jesuit.
Bourassa, witness.
February 20, 1752, I, in the absence of the missionary, sup-
plied the ceremonies of holy Baptism to and baptized condition-
ally veronique Cardin, legitimate daughter of louis Cardin and
of constante Chevalier, married together.62 Her godfather was
«i The son of the well-known Captain Duplessis-Fabert was made en-
sign in 1741; three years thereafter he was with his father in com-
mand at Niagara; in 1746 he led a war-party into Massachusetts, and
two years later took part in the attack on Northfield. During the
French and Indian War he was actively employed in scouting and
similar duties, becoming lieutenant in 1757. Having retired to France,
he was in 1767 living at Tours. — Ed.
«2 For their marriage see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 478.
[31]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
alexis Sejourne ; and her godmother marie f rangoise a la voine.
The said girl was born on the day and in the year above written.
In testimony whereof I have signed lamorinie, Jesuit.
The godfather and godmother have also signed with me.
Cardin, father of the girl ; Alexis Sejourne ; Manon La-
voine veuve Chevalier.
February 27, 1752, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission augustin Laffertiere dit jasmin, legitimate son of jean
Baptiste laffetier dit jasmin and of franchise hubert la Croix,
his wife. His godfather was Monsieur Augustin langlade ; and
his godmother francoise Cardinal, his grandmother.
In testimony whereof I have signed. Lamo-rinie, Jesuit
The godfather, godmother and father of the child have also
signed with me as witnesses.
jasmin; langlade; francoise Cardinale.
This day, the first day of the month of [blank in MS.], 1752,
I solemnly baptized agnes, daughter of the slave of Chaboiller,
a resident of this post. The godfather was ive ellien; and the
godmother Angelique Chevalier.
In testimony whereof I have signed Lamorinie, Jesuit.
The godfather signed with me and the godmother made the
usual mark.
YVE ELLIEN • ~\ — | — j — (-
July 3, 1752 ; Eeverend father de la morinie, a missionary of
the society of Jesus, solemnly administered the Sacrament of
holy Baptism to a young man about thirteen or fourteen years
old, natural son of Mr- la plante and of a woman Savage of Cam-
manettigouia, he being sufficiently instructed and desiring holy
Baptism. He took the name of louis at the sacred font. The
godfather was Mr- de Gronneville; and the godmother Mlle Bou-
rassa who signed here. * * *
The child also made his mark of a cross, not being able to sign
bis name + Lamorinie, Jesuit
OONNEVILLE ; MARIE DE La PLANTE.
[32]
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Mackinac Baptisms
September 10, 1752, I solemnly administered holy Baptism
to a young female slave of Mr- langlade, about fifteen years old,
who had been instructed for a long time and greatly desired it.
She took the name of mari at the sacred font and afterward had
the happiness of making her first Communion. Her godfather
was Mr- de Coulonge; and her godmother Mme Langlade, her
mistress. * * *
P. du j aun ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Coulonge.
September 17, 1752, I solemnly administered holy Baptism
to a young child, slave of Sieur Beaubien's wife, about three
years old. The godfather was pierre Poulain dit sans gene;
and the godmother Angelique Chevalier who gave her the name
of Catherine in holy Baptism. * * #
P. du j a un" ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Pierre Polin dit Sangenne.
September 20, 1752, I baptized conditionally and supplied
the ceremonies of holy Baptism to Therese Elizabeth, legitimate
daughter of joseph Couvret and of Charlotte, his wife, residing
at Sault Ste. Marie.63 The said child was born on the 26th of
the month of December last. The godfather was Mr de Beau-
jeu, Captain Commanding for the King at this post ;64 and the
godmother Mlle Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beau jeu ; Couvrett ; M C4 Lerige.
October 8, 1752, Reverend father le Franc, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Daniel,05 legitimate son of Sieur Bourassa, the younger and of
es For the marriage of the parents see Ibid., p. 476.
For a sketch of this commandant see Ibid.., p. 84, note 24. — Ed.
65 This child became an important resident of Mackinac. See Ibid.,
index. — Ed.
.3 [ 33 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
his wife, anne Chevalier, now residing at this post. The said
child was horn this morning. The godfather was Mr- de Beau-
jeu, Captain Commanding for the King at this post; and the
godmother Mde langlade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc66 of the society of Jesus.
P. DU J ATTN AY, miss. S. J.
Beaujeu; The godmother declared that she conld not sign
her name; Benee Bourassa, fils.
January 6, 1753, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy "baptism to a young
female slave about seven years old belonging to Sieur Sejourne
dit Sans Chagrin, residing at this post. The godfather was
Paul Amable Chaboier; and the godmother Marie Angelique
taro, wife of the said Sieur Sejourne, who gave her the name of
marie Catherine. * * *
M. L. Leeranc of the society of Jesus.
April 4, 1753, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, Charles domitille, legitimate daughter of Sieur Chaboyer,
voyageur, and of Marianne Chevalier, his wife, residing at this
post. The said child was born this morning at daybreak. The
godfather was Mr the Baron de longueuil, the younger, a lieut.
of the troops ;67 and the godmother Mlle Bourassa.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Longueuil, fils ; Laplante Boubassa.
April 21, 1753, I solemnly administered [omission in MS.]
instructed and desiring it for a long while, who took the name
««This is the earliest entry in the register, by Father Le Franc.
See Ibid., p. 480. — Ed.
«7 Charles Jacques le Moyne, third baron de Longueuil, for whom see
Ibid., p. 107, note 53. He was sent to Detroit in charge of a convoy in
1752, and as his letter shows, Ibid., pp. 126, 127, was interested in the
fur-trade. He was probably in Mackinac on private business, al-
though it is quite possible he went down from there with the spring
convoy to Montreal. — Ed.
[34]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
of Catherine. The godfather was Mr langlade; and the god-
mother Mlle Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade : M. Caterine Laplante. f £ r}fy
June 14, 1753, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
and baptized conditionally Marie josephe, legitimate daughter
of jean Baptiste Tellier dit la fortune, voyageur, and of marie
josette, his wife, now here. The said child was born on the
way while returning from where they spent the winter at fond
du lac on the 18th of May last, and was hurriedly baptized
privately being considered in imminent danger of death. The
godfather was Monsieur nicolas volant, voyageur ; and the god-
mother the wife of Sieur Sejourne dit Sans Chagrin. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
JEAN TELIEE DIT LA FORTUNE ; VOLANT ; MaRI TaRO.
July 15, 1753, I administered holy Baptism to Catherine, le-
gitimate daughter of Sieur Beaulieu and of his wife francoise,6*
residing at Sault Ste Marie, born un April 18 last. The god-
father was Mr de Beaujeu, Captain Commanding for the King
at this post ; and the godmother Mlle Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus,
Beaujeu; jean brian dit beaulieu; ct. laplante.
July 18, 1753, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism to
and baptized conditionally Daniel Augustin, born on August 9,
1751, legitimate son of augustin l'eveille and of Clotilde girar-
din, his father and mother, residing at la Baie. The godfather
was Mr de Beaujeau, Captain Commanding for the King at this
post; and the godmother Mlle Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beaujeu; Ct. Laplante.
68 For their marriage see Ibid., p. 479. — Ed.
[35]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 18, 1753, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism and re-
baptized conditionally Clotilde, legitimate daughter of augustin
l'eveille and of Clotilde girardin, her father and mother, born
on the twenty-eighth of January of the present year. The god-
father was Mr Marin, an officer of the troops and commanding
for the King at the post of la Baie; and the godmother Mlle
Blondeau. * * *
M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Marin, fils; anne Villeneuve
I, the undersigned missionary of the society of Jesus, bap-
tized Louis hubert, aged about three years, a slave of Monsieur
the Chevalier de repentigni. The godfather was jacques hame-
lin; and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa who signed in this
register.
Done at Michilimakina, Sept. 14, 1753.
M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Charlotte Bourassa; J. hamelin.
January 9, 1754, I, the undersigned priest, miss, of the so-
ciety of Jesus, solemnly baptized Charles Augustin, legitimate
son of Charles Chartre dit Chantloup and of Agathe Amiot, his
father and mother,69 born this morning. The godfather was Mp
Augustin Amiot; and the godmother Mlle Charlotte Bourassa.
* * * M. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Amiot ; langlade ; Charlotte Bourassa.
February 13, 1754, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a young catechumen about fourteen years old, suffi-
ciently instructed and desiring holy baptism, being a slave of Mr
Bourassa, who took the name of ignace in holy baptism. The
69 For their marriage see IMd., p. 478. — Ed.
[36]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
godfather was the said Mr Bourassa ; and the godmother the wife
of Sieur Blondeau called Nannette. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Bourassa ; Anne Villeneuve Blondeau
May 5, 1754, I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to and
baptized conditionally Marie Charlotte farley born on the twen-
tieth of March of jacqnes farley and josette du mouchel, her
father and mother. The godfather was Mr* Charles de lang-
lade ; and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa who signed, as did
also the father of the child. * * *
M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Jacqtje farley; Langlade; Charlotte Bourassa
May 8, 1754, I supplied the ceremonies to and baptized con-
ditionally Charlotte Cardin born this morning of frangois louis
Cardin and of Constance Chevalier, her father and mother.
The godfather was Mr de Beaujeu, Captain Commanding for
the King at this post ; and the godmother Mlle- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Lavoin ; Laplante Bourassa ; Beaujeu
June 9, 1754, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion a slave of Mr langlade, about twenty years old, sufficiently
instructed and desiring holy baptism, who took the name of
jean Baptiste. The godfather was Mr' langlade, the younger;
and godmother the daughter of Mr- Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the Society of J esus.
Langlade; Charlotte Bourassa.
July 28, 1754, I, the undersigned, solemnly administered
Baptism to an adult slave of Monsieur the Chevalier de la
verandrie, about seventeen years old. He was given the name
of Joseph. The godfather was Mr- herbin, Captain command-
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Wisconsin Historical Collections CVoi. xix
ing for the King at this post ;70 and the godmother Louise Bolon.
* * * M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Ch. de Laverandry ; Herbin ; Lizette Boullon.
August 14, 1754, I, the undersigned, administered holy Bap-
tism to jean Baptiste reaume, son of jean baptiste reaume and
of matchiouagakouat, whom I am to solemnly Baptize and
marry tomorrow.71 The child is eleven months old. The god-
father was pierre le due;72 the godmother Anne villeneuve.
* * * M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Anne Villeneuve ; Reaume ; + mark of pierre le duc.
August 14, 1754, I, the undersigned, administered holy bap-
tism to Marie renee Chaboiller, legitimate daughter of Charles
Chaboiller and of Marie Anne Chevalier, her father and
mother, born this morning. The godfather was rene Bourassa ;
and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Renee Bourassa, fils; Charlotte Bourassa; Chaboillez.
August 15, 1754, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of
the society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy baptism to an
adult instructed and desiring holy baptism. She is about
twenty years old. I named her Marie, her savage name is
Matchiougakouat, The godfather was Mr* Marin, the officer
Commanding for the King fat La Baye] ; and the godmother
Marie joseph du mouchel. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Marin; Marie Joseph de mouchelle farley.
August 18, 1754, I administered holy Baptism to marie
migouanounjan, daughter of pierre migouanounjan and of
70 His brief biography is given Ibid., p. 135, note 76. — Ed.
71 For this marriage see Ibid., p. 481. — Ed.
72 For this person consult Ibid., p. 264, note 64.
[38]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
marie ouakkouaouagan, her father and mother. The godfather
was Mr- Augustin de langlade, Esquire; and the godmother
Marie josephe, wife of la fortune. * * *
The child is about 25 days old.
M. L. Lefranc, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade; The others declared that they could not sign
their names.
September 27, 1754, I, the undersigned, solemnly adminis-
tered holy Baptism to joseph Augustin Couvret, legitimate son
of joseph Couvret and of Charlotte, his wife, residing at sault
Ste Marie. He was born on the feast of St. Lawrence, the 10th
of August. The godfather was Messire augustin de langlade;
and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
langlade; Charlotte Bourassa Langlade; J. Couvrett.
January 18, 1755, I, the undersigned, solemnly baptized
Charle louis Bourassa, legitimate son of Rene Bourassa and of
Anne Charlotte Veronique Chevalier, his father and mother.
The godfather was Mr- The Chevalier de Repentigni, the Officer
Commanding for the King at the Sault; and the godmother
Mde- de l'anglade. * * ^ .
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Louis Le Gardeur, chevalier Repentigny; Bourassa
d'anglade.
March 30, 1755, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy Baptism to two
adults: one about twelve or thirteen years old, called piere
frangois, a panis [slave] belonging to the Mr- parent; whose god-
father was pierre monbron; and whose godmother was Mari-
anne Chaboiller parent; the other marie Charlotte, a panis be-
longing to Mr- Monbron, about fourteen or fifteen years old.
The godfather was Louis gervais; and the godmother Ciele
[39]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Cousin et Monbron. Botb were sufficiently instructed and
well disposed. *x" * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of tbe society of Jesus.
Marianne Ciiaboillez parant; pierre Monbron.
May 17, 1755, I, tbe undersigned missionary of tbe society
of Jesus, solemnly administered boly Baptism to josepb, legiti-
mate son of pierre Ketchinape and of Angelique nekikkoue, bis
fatber and mother. Tbe godfather was Monsieur joseph
Amable bubert, merchant; and the godmother Charlotte
Bourassa de l'anglade. * * *
This child was born on the 29th December last.
M. L. Lefranc, of the society of Jesus.
J. A. M. huber; charlotte Bourassa Langlade.
May 27, 1755, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy Baptism to Am-
broise, whom nicolas amiot acknowledged to be his son, and of
oukimakoue, a woman savage, his mother. The godfather was
Mr> Amiot, father of nicolas ; and the godmother josette Kiouit-
takigir la fortune. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of tbe society of Jesus.
Amiot; la fortune.
June 18, 1755, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
pierre, son of achaka ouabeno and of maouemkouens, his father
and mother. Tbe godfather was Mr- nicolas du fresne, mer-
chant; and the godmother Angelique ouechipousse, the grand-
mother of the child. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Nicola Dufresne.
June 17, 1755, I, the undersigned, solemnly administered
holy baptism to jean baptiste, legitimate son of antoine le tellier
and of Charlotte ouetokich, bis father and mother, born on the
[40]
1695-1821
Mackinac Baptisms
tenth of September of the previous year. The godfather was
Rene Bonaventure Ange; and the godmother marie joseph
farle. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
MARIE JOSETE FARLEY ; JEAN TELIER DIT LA FORTUNE.
July 11, 1755, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
marie Anne, legitimate daughter of francois brisbe and of
mariane parent, her father and mother.73 The godfather was
Messire augustin moras de l'anglade, esquire; and the god-
mother marie Anne parent. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
marianne brisbe ; langlade; marianne c. b. parent;
Lagrandeur.
July 13 [1755], I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to
Catherine, a slave of Mr- la fortune, about thirteen years old,
whom I Baptized last autumn when in danger. The godfather
was Mr- giasson ; and the godmother Mde de l'anglade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, of the society of Jesus.
Bourassa Langlade ; Giasson.74
July 21, 1755, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Marie Anne, a slave of Mr- Caron, about sixteen or seventeen
years old and sufficiently instructed. The godfather was Mr*
file, Esquire ; and the godmother Mde- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
JAN MARI FILE; MARIE CaTERINE LeRIGE.
July 27, 1755, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
Anne, about eleven or twelve years old, a slave of Mr- St Omer.
78 For the marriage of these parents see IHd., p. 482. — Ed.
m Jacques Giasson was a lessee of the Green Bay post in 1757.
Ibid., pp. 197-199.— Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
The godfather was Mr- du fresne; and the godmother Mda*
monbrun. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Nicola Dufresne.
August 2, 1755, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
Albert, legitimate son of jacque farley and of josette Dumouchel,
his father and mother residing at this post, born this morning.
The godfather was Antoine Janis residing at this post; and the
godmother marie josette farly. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Janis ; Mary josete farly ; jac farly.
August 17, 1755, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to a
Catechumen, about twenty-one years old, desiring that Sacra-
ment and sufficiently instructed, who took the name of Susanna.
The godfather was Mr* 1'ami hubert, trader ; and the godmother
Mde- langlade, the elder. * * *
p. du j attn ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Barthelemi blondeau; J. Am. huber.
Since married to nicolas Amiot.75
August 24, 1755, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to a
c&ild from a year and a half to two years old, daughter of a
daughter of a savage called Misoumanitou, being a slave be-
longing to mr. de villebon.76 The godfather was Mr- the chew**
de Bepentigny, lieutenant of infantry; and the godmother mde*
l'anglade, the younger, who gave her the name of Charlotte.
* * * P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Le Gardeur che. Eepentigny ; charlotte Bourassa
Langlade; Barthelemi blondeau.
ts For this marriage see Ibid., p. 482. — Ed.
7« Charles Rene Desjordy, Sieur de Villebon, was king's officer at
Green Bay in 1749-50. See Ibid., p. 64, note 7. — Ed.
[42]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
January 6, 1756, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
a catechumen about eighteen years old, sufficiently instructed
and desiring holy baptism, who took the name of Charles. His
godfather was Mr- langlade; and his godmother the wife of
Sieur Bourassa, the younger.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
langlade; nanette chevalier boubassa j louis por-
telence; Barthelemi blondeau.
January 14, 1756, I solemnly Baptized a little girl born this
morning whose father is Charles and whose mother is marie,
both slaves and lawfully married last year, 1754.77 The god-
father was Mr- Bourassa, the elder; and the godmother mde*
langlade, the elder, who gave her the name of susanne. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Boubassa; Baethelemi blondeau.
February 4, 1756, I solemnly baptized a little daughter of
Sieur Cardin, notary at this post and of Coussante Chevalier,
his lawful wife, born yesterday evening at four o'clock. The
godfather was Mr- langlade, church warden ; and the godmother
the wife of Sieur Blondeau dit Nanette, voyageur, who gave
her the name of marie. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of society of Jesus.
Cabdin; blondeau.
April 17, 1756, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
three Catechumens, desiring the same and sufficiently in-
structed. The first is a slave of Sieur Bourassa, the younger,
about fifteen years old, who took the name of antoine. His god-
father was Mr* Bourassa, the elder ; and his godmother the wife
of Sieur Chaboyer. The second is our slave, about eight years
old, who took the name of jean. His godfather was la palme.
« See Ibid., p. 481 —Ed.
143]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
The third is a slave of Sieur farley, who took the name of
Charlotte; she is about seventeen or eighteen years old. Her
godfather was Mr- langlade; and her godmother the eldest
daughter of Sieur farley. All of whom signed this act.
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
lapalme ; langlade ; bourassa ; blondeau ; josette
farly; marie anne Chevalier Ciiaboillez.
April 28, 1756, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of holy Baptism to Charlotte Catherine [daughter of Monsieur]
de l'anglade, Esquire, and officer in the troops of the marine,
and of Charlotte Ambroise Bourassa,78 her father and mother,
whom I had privately baptized on the twenty-ninth of Janu-
ary last at la grande riviere, where she was born. The god-
father was Mr< de l'anglade, the elder; and the godmother Mde*
Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
langlade; Ctrinne Lerige.
May 9, 1756, I solemnly baptized an outaouaise catechumen,
daughter of neskes and granddaughter of kinoncharnee, suf-
ficiently instructed and desiring holy baptism, who took the
name of marie;79 the godfather was Mr- l'anglade, the elder,
and the godmother mde- langlade, the younger. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE ; CHARLOTTE BOURASSA LANGLADE J JOSEPH
BARTIIELEMI BLONDEAU.
May 23, 1756, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly Baptized an outaois catechumen,
about fourteen years old, son of the late Cardinal, sufficiently
instructed and desiring holy Baptism. He took the name of
78 This child, known as Lalotte, was afterwards married to a M. Bar-
cellou, dying the following year. See Id., Hi, p. 235. — Ed.
'•Afterwards the wife of Jean Baptiste Marcot. See Id., xviii,
p. 484.— Ed.
[44]
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Mackinac Baptisms
George. The godfather was pierre migouanounjan ; and the
godmother anne villeneuve Blondeau, who signed with me.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
anne Villeneuve Blondeau; amable chaboillez; bene
bourassa.
June 5, 1750, I, the undersigned priest of the soeiety of
Jesus, solemnly baptized pierre antoine le tellier, legitimate son
of antoine le tellier and of charlotte ouetokis, his father and
mother,80 born on the thirteenth of December of the previous
year. The godfather was pierre le due; and the godmother
Mde- and Mlle- Bourassa.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
PIERRE LE DUC ; CATERINNE LeRIGE BOURASSA.
June 7, 1756, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy baptism to Magde-
laine, a slave of Monsieur Chaboille, about forty-five years old,
sufficiently instructed and desiring baptism. The godfather
was Mr- Bene Bourassa ; and the godmother Marianne Chevalier
Chaboillez. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of J esus.
Bene Bourassa, fils; marie anne chevalier chaboillez.
June 19, 1756, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, supplied the ceremonies of baptism and bap-
tized conditionally Marie Catherine guillory, legitimate daugh-
ter of joseph guillory and of Marie Louise Bolon, her father
and mother. The godfather was Mr< hertelle Beau Bassin, an
Officer in the troops of the marine and commanding for the
King at la pointe,81 where the child was born on the twenty-
mo For their marriage see Ibid., p. 480. — Ed.
si The parents of this child were married at Mackinac on Sept. 5,
1747. Ibid., p. 474.
This officer, Pierre Joseph Hertel, Sieur de Beaubassin, was the last
French commandant at Chequamegon. A brief biographical sketch is
given in Ibid., p. 163. — Ed.
[45]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
second of June of the previous year; the godmother was Mlle-
Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Joseph Guielory; Beaubassin; Ct. Leeige.
July ,T9, 1756, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the
society of Jesus, supplied the ceremonies and baptized condi-
tionally, jean Simon personne, son of Charles personne and of
suzanne Beaume, his father and mother ; and hubert personne,
son of the same above mentioned; marie josephe, daughter of
jean Baptiste jourdain and of marie joseph Beaume, her father
and mother, and Marie magdelaine, daughter of the same —
the first boy, six years old, born on the fourteenth of April,
1750; the second born on the 1st of December, 1753; the first
girl born on the tenth of October, 1751, the second on the 25th
of January, 1754.82 The godfather of the first boy was jean
le febvre; and the godmother marie josette farley; the god-
father of the second boy was Mr- Couterot,83 Lieutenant of in-
fantry; and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa; the godfather
of the first girl was jean Baptiste le tellier; and the godmother
Marie Anne Amiot; the godfather of the second girl was
Antoine janis; and the godmother Marie Angelique Taro.
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
h. Couteeot; Boueassa Langlade; jean le faibee; jo-
sette FAELY ; JEAN TELIEE ; ANTOINE J ANISE J MAEI ANGELIQUE
TAEO.
October 15, 1756, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of
the society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy baptism to
marie Renee, daughter of jean Baptiste Cadot and of Catherine,
a girl of the nepissing, whom they are to legitimize by their
82 These children were brought from Green Bay to Mackinac for
baptism. For the marriages of their parents — the mothers were
sisters — see Ibid., pp. 473, 474. — Ed.
ss Hubert Couterot was the last French commandant at La Baye;
see Ibid., p. 184, note 28.— Ed.
[46]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
marriage to be performed shortly.84 The child is about two
months old. The godfather was Mr- de Couagne; and the god-
mother Mde- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
R De Couagne, fils; m. C. Lerige.
I, the undersigned priest, miss, of the society of Jesus,
solemnly administered holy Baptism to Charles joseph, son of
a female slave of Mr- the chevalier de repentigny, born yester-
day evening. The godfather was Louis joseph Ens [Ainse] ;
and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa. At michilimakina
January 3, 1757.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Bene bourassa ; paul a. chaboiller.
I, the undersigned priest, Miss, of the society of Jesus, ad-
ministered holy baptism to anne agues Bourassa, legitimate
daughter of Rene Bourassa and of anne Chevalier, her father
and mother. The godfather was Mr- de langlade ; and the god-
mother Mde- Blondeau. At Michilimakina, March 2, 1757, the
day on which the baptized infant was born.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE ; ANNE VILLENEUVE BLONDEAU.
I, the undersigned priest, miss, of the society of Jesus,
solemnly baptized, on Holy Saturday of the present year, a
young slave belonging to Sieur amiot, armorer, at this post,
abont twelve years old, sufficiently instructed and desiring holy
baptism. The sponsors were Sieur Amiot and his wife. Done
at michilimakina, the 9th of April, 1757.
P. bit j a una y, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Barthelemi blondeau; paule amable chaboiller; bene
Bourassa.
84 For a sketch of this early settler of Sault Ste. Marie, see lbid.t
p. 103, note 47. His marriage is registered on p. 483. — Ed.
[47]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
May 16 [1757], I, the undersigned Miss, of the society of
Jesus, solemnly baptized Augustin, legitimate son of pierre
Kitchinape and of angelique, his wife, born on the last day of
March of the previous year. The godfather was Mr- de l'ang-
lade; and the godmother Mde- sans Chagrin, the undersigned.
4 * * M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade; Marie tako.
May 20, 1'757, I, the undersigned priest, Miss, of the society
of Jesus, solemnly Baptized marie Anne, legitimate daughter
of Claude pelle dit le haie and of Marie Meghissens, her father
and mother,85 born on the tenth of March last. The godfather
was Mr- Antoine St. germain; and the godmother Mde- Anne
villeneuve Blondeau, undersigned. * # *
M. L. Lefeanc, of the society of Jesus.
Antoine St Germain ; Anne Villeneuve Blondeu ;
claude pelle.
May 20, 1757, I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to
Joseph, son of a female slave of Mr* jean Baptiste le febre,
trader, born on the fifth of April last and privately baptized.
The godfather was the aforesaid Mess- le febvre; and the god-
mother M1Ie- marie josephe farly, undersigned.
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
JEAN BAPTISTE LE FEBVRE ; MARIE JOSEPH FARLY.
May 30, 1757, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
and baptized conditionally joseph, legitimate son of jean Bap-
tiste Keaume, interpreter at la Baye, and of Marie joseph, his
wife, born at the wintering place of the mississipi on the 7th
85 For their marriage see Ibid., p. 483. — Ed.
[48]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
of May, 1755. The godfather was Mr- Amiot, Armorer of this
post ; and the godmother Mde- f arley, who signed here. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
amiot; marie Joseph du mouchelle faeley; jean baup-
tiste eeatjme.
June 1, 1757, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Marie franchise, legitimate daughter of frangois Brisbe and of
Marie anne parent, her father and mother, born yesterday even-
ing. The godfather was pierre parent; and the godmother
Mde- de l'anglade.
M. L. Lefbanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Boueassa Langlade; feancoie [B]eisbe; pieeee pabent.
June 22, 1757, I, the undersigned, solemnly administered
Holy Baptism to Antoine, legitimate son of joseph guillory and
of Marie Louise Bollon, his father and mother, born yesterday
morning. The godfather was Mr- Antoine St germain, trader;
and the godmother Mariane Cecile Cousineau Monbron. * * *
M. L. Lefbanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
antoine St Geemain.
July 3, 1757, I, the undersigned, solemnly administered
Holy Baptism to Antoine, a slave of Mr- St. germain, trader,
about fifteen or sixteen years old, sufficiently instructed and
demanding Baptism. The godfather was Mr- francois marie
hamelin, trader; and the godmother Mde- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
F. HAMELIN ; MAEIE CaTHEEINE LeEIGE ; ANTOINE St GeE-
MAlN.
July 18, 1757, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of Baptism to marie Catherine, a slave of Mr- hamelin, seven
or eight years old, whom I had privately baptized last winter
4 [49 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
while ill. The godfather was Mr- St. germain; and the god-
mother Mde- Bourassa.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
antoine St Germain; marie Catherine Lerige; f. hame-
lin.
I privately baptized a little girl who is thought to be the
daughter of Rupalais and of a daughter of la Culote. This
little girl was about six weeks and sick with small-pox. This
3 1th of October, 1757.
Lefranc, jesuit
This day I privately baptized a little girl savage about a year
old, who is called outeskouiabano. This 15th of October, 1757.
This same day I privately baptized the son of miskoumanitou
who desired baptism and was dangerously ill with small-pox.
This day, the 15th of October, I privately baptized the son
of Lou ouicheina, whom I buried on Thursday, and kininchioue,
both dangerously ill. They eagerly asked for Baptism and
promised to get themselves instructed and to live as Christians.
Both are dead.
I, the undersigned priest, Miss, of the society of Jesus,
solemnly baptized Marie Bichibichikoue (since dead), an
adult about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, sufficiently
instructed and desiring baptism. The godfather was Mr- janis,
trader; and the godmother Mde- Sans chagrin. At michili-
makina the 18th of October, 1757.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
ANGELIQUE TARO.
I privately baptized the son of neoukima, on the eighteenth*
He was dangerously ill with small-pox.
[50]
1
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
On the 22nd of October I privately baptized a little boy
(since dead) of la pointe, about six months old, in danger of.
death. j
On the 27th I privately baptized a female panis [slave] be^
longing to Mde- Blondeau.
On the 28th I privately baptized the daughter of meman-
ghiouinet.
On the 29th, the Sister-in-law of mikisinensa, all danger-
ously ill.
Eight days previously I had privately baptized Sarasto, a
panis [slave] belonging to Mr- Sans chagrin.
On the 1st of November I privately baptized a case.
On the 31st of October, I privately baptized the brother-in-
law of mikisinensa, who died on the 2nd of November.
On the 2nd of November I privately baptized a little boy, a
panis belonging to Mde- Blondeau.
On the 3rd a little boy Savage who is at Mr- the command-
ant's, who was abandoned and is said to belong to chambele
(since dead) [also] A little panis girl belonging to M*' the com-
mandant.
On the 4th I privately baptized ouabikeki, who died on the-
5th and a girl panis of Mr- langlade, the younger.
On the 5th I privately baptized two women Savages (since
dead) in the Lodge of nanchoukache or in that of Kaouchima-
gan (dead) ; a woman abandoned under a bark shelter near the
same place ; the wife and a little son of pitatchaouanon, both of.'
whom died the same day.
[51]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
On the 6th I privately baptized a daughter of mikisinensa
(since dead) the son of memainghiouinet (since dead) and la
Ronde, a panis of Mr- de langlais, the elder.
On the 7th I privately baptized a little daughter of pit-
tachaouanon. (Since dead.)86
On the 17th of November, I privately baptized two nephews
(still living) of the wife of mikisinensa ; and a little boy called
kinonchamon (since dead) ; and a little boy in the Lodge of the
late ouabikike.
On the 22nd of November I privately baptized the old
mother-in-law of nanchoukache (since dead) ; and a young man
about 17 or 18 years old in the same lodge (since dead) ; also a
little child in an adjacent Lodge, all in great danger.
February 23, 1758, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Louis joseph, legitimate son of jacques farly and of josette du
Mouchel, his father and mother, born this morning. The god-
father was Mr- de Beaujour, Captain, commandant; and the god-
mother. Mde- de Langlade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
JACQUE FARLY; BeATJJEU.
I , '
Holy Saturday [March 25], 1758, I supplied the ceremonies
of holy baptism to Thomas about twelve or thirteen years old,
sufficiently instructed and privately baptized in the month of
December last, being in danger of death, son of hyppolite kinon-
chamee dit Choumen, recently reconciled with the church. His
godfather was Sieur farly, interpreter; and his godmother
Agathe villeneuve, widow of the late Boisguilbert. * * *
P. du jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
8« Here follows an entry crossed out in the original: "On the 8th I
privately baptized a little child (since dead) of neoukima." — Ed.
[52]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
April 12, 1758, I, the undersigned, solemnly administered
holy Baptism to joseph Laurent, legitimate son of Laurent du
Charme and of Marguerite metivier, his father and mother,
horn yesterday evening. The godfather was Mr- Nicolas du
f resne, trader ; and the godmother Mde- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
makie Catebinne Leeige de boueassa ; Latjeent Du
chabme ; Nicola Dufbesny.
June 12 [1758], I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to and
Baptized conditionally, Marie Angelique, legitimate daughter of
Joseph Couvret and of charlotte, his wife, horn about three
months ago. The godfather was Mr* amable de Riviere; ana*
the godmother Mde- Angelique Metivier.
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss. of. the society of Jesus.
Angelique Metiviee; Amable Deeivieee.
June 29, 1758, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Marie jeanne, presented by Mr- Monbrun, who received her from
a woman savage and who took her to bring her up as a Chris-
tian. The said Mr- Monbrun was godfather ; and Madame his
wife was godmother. At Michilimakina.
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Monbeon.
June 29, 1758, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission a Catechumen of the Outaouas nation, the father of a
family, over forty years of age, sufficiently instructed and de-
siring holy baptism; he is called kiniouichatoun and took the
name of pierre at the sacred font. His godfather was Mr* de
Beaujeu, Captain commanding here for the King ; and the god-
mother Mde* langlade, the younger. * * *
P. du jaunay, jesuit Miss.
Beaujeu; Boueassa Langlade.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
I, the undersigned priest, Miss, of the society of Jesus, sol-
emnly administered holy baptism to Charles, legitimate son of
antoine le tellier and of Charlotte ouetokis, his father and
mother. The godfather was Mr- de l'Anglade, an officer of the
troops and second in command at this post ;87 and the Godmother
Mde- his wife. At Michilimakina July 2, 1758.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade fils; Boukassa Langlade.
July 13 [1758], I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Marianne, daughter of a female slave of Mr- L'anglade, born on
the tenth of March last. The godfather was Mr- the chevalier
de Repentigny; the godmother Mde- Langlade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Le Gardetjr che. De Repentigne ; Bourassa f. Langlade.
July 16, 1758, I solemnly baptized a catechumen of the Saul-
teux nation, sufficiently instructed and desiring holy Baptism.
This catechumen is thirty years old and is called tiennotte.8'
She took the name of Marie in Baptism. The godfather was
Mr* de Beaujeu, Captain, the commandant of this post; and
the godmother Mde- de langlade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beatjjeu; Bourassa Langlade.
July 16 [1758], I solemnly Baptized jean Baptiste, born on
the 8th of February, 1756, and marie joseph, about two months
old, son and daughter of michel Rocheveau and of marie tien-
notte, who will this day receive the nuptial benediction and
acknowledge the aforesaid Baptized children as legitimate.
The godfather of the little boy was jean Baptiste La Douceur;
the godmother Mde- metivier. The godfather of the little girl
87 For Langlade's appointment as second in command, see Wis. Hist.
Colls., viii, p. 213.— Ed.
as For her marriage to Michel Rocheveau, the same day, see Id., xviii,
p. 484.— Ed.
[54]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
was Mr- Sans Chagrin; and the godmother Mde- Sans chagrin.
* * * M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Sejourne; angelique taro.
September 10, 1758, I solemnly baptized a female Catechu-
men, about sixteen or seventeen years old, sufficiently instructed
and desiring Baptism. The godfather was Mr- janis, trader;
and the godmother Mde* metivier. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
J anise; mari angeli metivier.
October 1, 1758, I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to
Charlotte, natural daughter of pierre Souligni, the younger,
about two years old. I had baptized her privately about three
months previously. The godfather was Mr- de Langlade; and
the godmother Mde- Souligni.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade; agathe villene [uve] Souline.
October 4, 1758, I solemnly baptized marie joseph, born this
day of a panis [slave] woman residing with Mr- Souligni, who
gave her to le febvre, formerly a clerk at la Baie. The god-
father was Mr- Souligni ; and the godmother Mde- f arley.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
J. MARIE JOSEPH DU MOTJCHELLE FARLY.
December 17, 1757 [1758], I solemnly Baptized Louis fran-
cois xavier, legitimate son of Rene Bourassa and of anne
Chevalier, his father and mother, born last night. The god-
father was Mr* de Baujeu, Captain, Commandant of this post;
and the godmother Marie Anne Chevalier, widow Chaboiller.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beau jeu ; veuve chaboillez ; Bene Bourassa fils.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections tvoi. xix
January 30, 1759, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Louis [e] domitille, legitimate daughter89 of Mr- Charles de
Langlade and of Mde- Charlotte Bourassa, her father and mother.
The godfather was Mr> de Beaujeu, Commanding ¥or the King
at this post ; and the godmother Mde- langlade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society' of Jesus.
Beaujeu; langlade.
April 14, 1759, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
louise, about eleven or twelve years old, a slave of Mr- de Beau-
jeu, Commandant of this post, formerly baptized privately by
Reverend Father Lefranc, when in danger of death. I also ad-
ministered holy baptism to Caterirme, about seven years old, a
slave of Mr- langlade, the younger. The godfather and god-
mother of louise were Mr> langlade, the elder ; and Mde- langlade,
the younger ; those of Cater inne were Mr. dufrene, trader ; and
Mde- langlade, the elder. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
langlade; Bourassa Langlade; Nicola Dufresne.
April 30, 1759, I administered holy Baptism to a little bas-
tard girl, born this morning of the panis slave of Constant
villeneuve. who accuses herself of having become enceinte by
her Master. The child received the name of Charlotte. The
godfather was Rene Bourassa; the godmother Charlotte Bou-
rassa. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
RENE BOURASSA.
May 11, 1759, I supplied the ceremonies of holy baptism to
Pierre francois, legitimate son of frangois Brisbe and of Mari-
anne Parent, his father and mother, born the day before yester-
day at la pointe au sable where I baptized him privately yester-
«» For her marriage to Pierre Grignon see Ibid., p. 493. — Ed.
[56]
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Mackinac Baptisms
day. The godfather was Mr- parent; and the godmother Mde*
farly.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
MARIE JOSEPH DU MOUCHELLE PARLY; PIERRE PAR ANT y
FRANCOIE [B]rISP.E.
May 30 [1759], I solemnly baptized augustin, legitimate son
of hyppolite kinonchamek and of marianne, his wife, born on the
l(6th. The godfather was Mr- de l'anglade, and the godmother
Mde- Soulignis. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
AGATHE VILLENEUVE SOULIGNI \ LANGLADE.
This day, the feast of pentecost, I supplied the ceremonies of
holy baptism to Louis Joseph, a panis slave of Mr* farly whom
I had privately baptized in 1757 when dangerously ill with
small-pox, about 15 or 16 years old. The godfather was Louis
desmouchells ; the godmother Mde- farly. I also solemnly bap-
tized a panis woman, about 20 years old, sufficiently instructed
and desiring baptism for a long while. She took the name
of Marie xavier. The godfather was Mr- janis, trader; and the
godmother Mde- Sans Chagrin. At Michilimakina June 3,
1759.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
MARIE JOSEPH DU M OUCHELLE FARLY J JANIS ; ANGELIQUE
TARO.
On the same feast of pentecost, I baptized Catherine, daugh-
ter of joseph Sans peur and of Michelle, his wife, born last
winter. The godfather was Earthelemi janise; and the god-
mother Catherine parent. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Battse; Janis.
June 14, 1759, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
Antoine, son of pierre kinoncheton and of a pagan woman sav-
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
-age deceased, aged about five or six years. The godfather was
Mr- janis; and the godmother Mde- Bourassa. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
/ t Janise; Cateeinne leeige.
June 14, 1759, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
pierre, son of pierre kinonchaton and of a pagan Woman savage,
ivho died in paganism, about ten years old, sufficiently instructed
and desiring Baptism. The godfather was Mr. dufresne,
trader ; and the godmother Mde- Bourassa, the younger. * * *
P. DU jattnay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
NANETTE BOUEASSA; NlCOLA DlJFEESNE.
I solemnly administered holy baptism to Nicolas, legiti-
mate son of Antoine le tellier dit la fortune and of Charlotte
ouaboki, his wife, born at Matchidack on the sixth of March
last. The godfather was Mr- du fresne; and the godmother
Mde- la fortune. At Michilmackina, June 24, 1759.
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Nicola Dufeesne.
August 7, 1759, I solemnly administered holy Baptism [to
jean Baptiste born] yesterday, legitimate son of jean Baptiste
metivier and of josette parent, his father and mother.90 The
godfather was pierre parent; and the godmother Angelique
Metivier. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
PIEEEE PAEENT ; MAElE ANGELIQUE METIVIEE.
August 17, 1759, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
Louis francois, legitimate son of francois Louis Cardin and of
donstante Chevalier, his father and mother, born last night.
90 For their marriage see IMd., p. 483. — Ed.
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The godfather was Mr- janis ; and the godmother M11, Chaboiller.
•* * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Cardin ; at. Janis ; Manette chaboiller.
September 30, 1759, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to
marie, privately baptized by Reverend Father du jaunay, born
-on the 8th of the present month, legitimate daughter of jean
Baptiste marcot and of marie amighissen, her father and mother.
The godfather was Mr* de Langlade; and the godmother Mde-
:Souligni.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
LANGLADE; AGATHE LA SoULIGNI.
November 6, 1759, I administered holy Baptism to Louis
Jacques, legitimate son of jacques Gaillard and of Marie jbeau,91
bom last night. The godfather was Mr* de beaujeu, Com-
manding for the King at this post ; and the godmother Mde- de
ILanglade. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beaujeu; j. galliord.
December 4, 1759, I solemnly baptized francois xavier, born
yesterday, natural son of Catherine, a panis slave of Mr- La-
fortune. The godfather was Rene Le tallier; and the god-
mother Marie anne marthe Chaboiller. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
MANETTE CHABOILLER; RENE LETELLIER.
March 2 [1760], I privately baptized a young girl Savage
called kioueiatchiouenoukoue, to whom I gave the name of
^Charlotte. She is about 14 or 15 years old. Since she has been
with antoine la fortune she has always been very assiduous at
catechism. She seems to be in danger of death from an ab-
scess in the side.
•iFor their marriage entry see Ibid., p. 484.— Ed.
[59]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
May 22, I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to and bap-
tized conditionally charlotte, born at Sault Ste. Marie at the
beginning of last October, legitimate daughter of jean Baptiste
Cadot and of Athanasi, her father and mother. The god-
father was Mr- j anise; and the godmother Mde- de langlade.
* * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Bourassa Langlade; at J anise.
May 25, 1760, 1 solemnly administered holy Baptism to Alex-
andre Louis, a panis, about 14 years old, of Mr* de Beaujeu ; and
to genevieve, 9 or 10 years old, a panis of Mr- janis; the two
adults being sufficiently instructed and asking for baptism.
Monsieur de Beaujeu was godfather and Mde- Blondeau god-
mother of the first; Bartholomee janis was godfather, and Mlle*
Blondeau godmother of the second. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beaujeu; Bartiielemi J anise; Marguerite Blondeau.
May 26, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to josette, a
slave of Mr- Bourassa, the elder, about 13 or 14 years old, whom
I had privately baptized two years ago when in danger of death.
The godfather was M1*' janis, trader; and the godmother Mde- de
langlade.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
MARIE ANGELIQUE METIVIER ; AT. J ANISE.
June 8, 1760, I administered holy baptism to josette, about
6 months old. She is the daughter of the granddaughter of the
old nipissing and of jacques hamelin. As she is always sick, I
deemed it advisable to Baptize her. The godfather was Rene
le tellier; and the godmother josette dulignon. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus. .
RENE LETELLIER.
[60]
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Mackinac Baptisms
July 16, 1760, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to
marie Angelique, legitimate daughter of jean Baptiste jourdin
and of Marie josephe Eeaume, her father and mother. She
was born on the last day of February, 1759. The godfather
was Mr- de souligni ; and the Godmother Mde- de langlade.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Charlotte Bourassa Langlade.
On the day and in the year above written I solemnly baptized
Marie, daughter of jean Baptiste Cottenoire and of marie
josephe ouagakouat, her father and mother,92 born at the be-
ginning of November, 1759. The godfather was Mr- giasson;
and the godmother Mde- de Soulignis.
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
JAQUE GIASSON ; AGATHE SOULINIE.
September 6, 1760, I administered holy Baptism to Louis and
pierre Augustin, legitimate sons of Laurent du Charme and of
Marguerite Metivier, his wife, born this morning. The god-
father of the first was Mr- de Beaujeu, Commandant; and the
godmother Mde. de Langlade, the younger. The godfather of
the second was augustin Chaboiller; and the godmother An-
gelique Metivier. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Beaujeu; Bourassa Langlade; Angelique chaboiller;
marie angelique metivier.
I solemnly baptized jacques, natural son of jean Baptiste
Sans Crainte by a slave belonging to him, born the day before
»2 Their marriage was solemnized Aug. 6, 1758. Ibid., p. 485. — Ed.
1 61 J
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix:
yesterday. The godfather was jacques Gaillard; and the god-
mother, his wife. At michilimakina Octoher 9, 17 60.
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
jaque galliaed; jean JBaptiste Sans Ceainte; Made-
LAINE MGULPIN.93
November 23, 1760, I solemnly administered holy baptism lo-
an dre Vital, legitimate son of Charles farly and of josette de
mouchel, his father and mother, born last night. The godfather
was Mr- Boiser, the elder; and the godmother Mdlle- metivier^
# •* #
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesu9.
MAEIE ANGELIQUE ftlETEYIEZ | JAC FAELT.
April 4, 1760 [1761], I solemnly administered holy Baptism
to josette Catherinne, legitimate daughter of frangois Brisbe and
of Marianne Parent, her father and mother, born the day be-
fore yesterday. The godfather was joseph saint Aubin; and
the godmother Catherine parent. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the Society of Jesus.
FEANCOIE [B]EISBE.
May 13, 1761, I solemnly administered holy baptism to
joseph, legitimate son of Antoine le tellier dit La fortune and
of Charlotte ouetoukis, his father and mother. The godfather
was pierre dugast; and the godmother Mlle* Chaboiller. This
child was born at the wintering place on the second of March
last.
M. L. Lefeanc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
P. Dugast ; Manette Chaboillez ; antoine la foetune.
June 1,, 1761, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Charles jean Baptiste, legitimate son of Rene Bourassa and of
»3This name was written twice in the original, and both times
crossed out. — Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
Anne Veroniqtie Chevalier, his father and mother. The god-
father was Mr- de langlade, the younger; and the godmother
Mde- Cardin. This child was born last night. * * *
M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Langlade fils ; Rene Bourassa, fils.
I, the undersigned priest, Miss, of the society of Jesus, sol-
emnly administered holy Baptism to an adult, the natural
daughter of francois duclos dit Carignan, sufficiently instructed
and desiring holy Baptism. She is 23 years old. She took the
name of marie josephe. The godfather was Mr* provanche ; and
the godmother Mde- la fortune. At michilimakina this 12th of
July, 1761.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
francois Carignant; Rne Provanche.
September 3, 1*761, I solemnly administered holy Baptism
to Charles Louis, legitimate son of Louis Cardin, notary at this-
post, and of Coussante Chevalier, his wife, born on the twentieth
of August last. The godfather was Charles Boyer, voyageur;
and the godmother Marthe Chaboyer. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Manette Chaboillez; Cardin.
September 4, 1761, I solemnly administered holy Baptism to
Charles, legitimate son of Sieur michel Boyer, trader at this
post and of josephe Marguerite du lignon, his wife ;9* the said
child born on the twelfth [second] of this month. The god-
father was Sieur Alexis Sejourne, trader, of this post; and the
godmother Mde- langlade, the younger. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
alexis Sejourne; Bourassa Langlade; michele boyez.
Their marriage entry is given in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 485. — Ed.
[63]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
October 28, 1761, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism
to joseph jean Baptiste, legitimate son of jean Baptiste Metivier
and of josette parent, his wife, born on the seventh of this same
month and privately baptized the same day, being in danger of
death. The godfather was jean Baptiste Marchetteau, voy-
ageur; and the godmother Catherine parant. * * *
P. du j aun ay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Marchetaux; denoye.
January 27, 1762, I baptized a girl born yesterday of a slave
•of Amiot, The mother says that the father of the little girl
is a savage. The godfather was Rene Bourassa ; and the god-
mother Charlotte langlade who gave the child the name of
joseph. * * *
P. du JAUWAY, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Bene bourassa.
March 8, 1762, I baptized a young female slave belonging to
Mr- Parent, who is ill and, from all appearances will soon die.
The godfather was Sieur michel Boyer ; and the godmother Mde*
Parent, the latter undertook to supply what is wanting in the
instruction of the girl who may be about twelve years old.
* *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
MICHELE BOYER; MARIE C B. PARENT.
April 10, 1762, I solemnly baptized a young negro about
twenty years old, belonging to this mission since the day before
yesterday, sufficiently instructed to even serve at the holy mass
following the baptism, at which mass he made his first com-
munion. He took the name of pierre in holy Baptism. His
godfather was Mr- jean Baptiste dit noyer, voyageur; and his
.godmother Mlle- Marthe Chaboyer. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
Desnoye; Manette Chaboillez.
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Mackinac Baptisms
April 25, 1762, I baptized in the church of this mission a
child born a few hours ago of a slave belonging to Sieur Cardin
the younger, being the son of Constant villeneuve according to
what that slave said. The godfather was pierre la joye, at
present residing with us; and the godmother Constante Cheva-
lier, wife of Sieur Cardin, who gave the child the name of pierre
louis. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
May 30 [1762], I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission two children; one the legitimate son of pierre kinioui-
chattouin and of marie, his wife, born at la grande Riviere about
two months ago; the other the son of elizabeth nattamanisset,
daughter of the said kiniouichattouin, and of one Bissonet, a
voyageur, born at la grande Riviere on the 6th of January last,
the feast of the Epiphany. The godfather of the first was Mr*
pierre parent; and the godmother his wife, who gave him the
name of pierre ignace. The godfather of the other was Mr*
Michel Boyer; and the godmother his wife, who gave him the
name of michel. * * *
p. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
PIER PARENT ; MARIANNE C. B. PARANT ; MICHEL BOYER.
June 13, 1762, I baptized conditionally jean Baptiste, legiti-
mate son of jean Baptiste Marcot and of marie, his wife, born
in the winter quarters at la pointe de Chagouamigoun on the
twelfth of January last. The godfather was joseph St Ger-
main; and the godmother angelique Sejourne. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Joseph St germain; angelique Sejourne.
June 29, 1762, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission jean baptiste, legitimate son of jean Baptiste Cadot and
of Athanasie his wife, born at sault Ste. Marie on the 25th of
October last. The godfather was Mr- jean baptiste adhemar;
5 [ 65 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
and the godmother josephe, wife of Sieur Boyer, voyageur.
* * * P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ADHEMAR; MICHEL BOYER.
July IT, 1762, I baptized conditionally, hyppolite, son of
Sieur hyppolite de Rivieres and of Marie, his wife, the said
child having been born at Alimipigon on the 19th of December
of last year. The godfather was Amable des Rivieres, uncle of
the child ; and the godmother Marthe Cheboiller. * * *
P. r>u jaotay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
AMABLE DE RlVIERE ; HYPPOLITE DE RlVIERE.
July 17 [1762], I privately baptized a little girl, about two
years old, in danger of death, daughter of ouindigouich, brother
of oulaoue, and of a daughter of the late ouiskentcha called telei-
prieoue. I gave the little girl the name of Christine l'esperance,
who held her while she was being baptized.
July 17, 1762, I baptized a child born last spring while they
were returning from the winter quarters in the direction of la
Baye, of a young Christian woman called Charlotte, who lived
with antoine La fortune, and of a father not yet named. The
godfather was Mr> Laf ortune, the elder ; and the godmother his
wife, who gave him the name of joseph. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
LA FORTUNE.
August 3 5, 1762, I solemnly baptized a young catechumen
about 18 years old, a slave of old Angelique ouechibisse residing
at the mission of St ignace, sufficiently instructed and desiring
holy Baptism at which he took the name of Antoine. His god-
father was Antoine la fortune; and his godmother Charlotte,
wife of the said Antoine la fortune. * * **
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
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Mackinac Baptisms
October 16, 1762, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism
to Rene, son of madelaine, a slave of Sieur Laurent du charme
and of an unknown father, whom I had privately baptized this
morning because he seemed in danger of death. The godfather
was Sieur Rene Bonaventure Auger, voyageur; and the god-
mother Charlotte Bourassa. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
B. Auger.
January 12, 1763, I solemnly administered holy baptism in
the church of this mission to Gabriel, legitimate son of jean
Baptiste metivier and of josette parent, his wife; the said child
was born last night. The godfather was Sieur Sejourne dit
sans chagrin, residing at this post ; and the godmother marianne
parent, wife of. Sieur [B]Risbe dit le Grandeur. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
ALEXIS SEJOURNE; MARIANNE PARANT LAGRANDEUR.
May 23, T763, I administered holy Baptism to two children
both born last winter; one at sault Ste. Marie, the other at
Saghinau. The first is a son of a woman named Chopin, for-
merly a slave of Mr- le Chevalier and afterward sold to an Eng-
lish trader called henneri,95 who, although not yet baptized,
protested, when she offered her child for holy Baptism, that she
had never had any other faith than that of the holy Catholic,
Apostolic and Roman Church and that her new master had
promised her never to force her with regard to her Religious be-
lief. She also declared that the father of the child was one la
Mothe, a voyageur, now at la pointe. The second is the legiti-
mate daughter of joseph dit Sans peur and of Michelle, his wife.
The godfather of the first was Alexis Chapoton ; and the god-
mother Catherine parent, who gave, him the name of joseph.
The godfather of the little girl was paul Thomas ; and the god-
os Alexander Henry, for whom see Ibid., p. 277, note 88. He appears
to be the first Englishman mentioned in the register. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
mother Therese parent, who gave her the name of Therese.
None of all these can sign their names. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
June 30, 1763, I solemnly baptized, with the ceremonies pre-
scribed by the holy Roman Church, ignace, legitimate son of
Antoine tellier dit la fortune and of Charlotte Outoukis, his
wife, born last winter in the upper ouisconsin,96 on the 5th of
January of the present year. The godfather was Sieur ignace
Bourassa dit la Ronde ; and the godmother Charlotte Bourassa.
* * * P. du jaotay, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
ig Bourassa.
August 22, 1763, I solemnly baptized with the ceremonies
prescribed by the holy Roman Church, Marie marguerite,
daughter of Sieur Laurent de Charm and of marguerite
metivier, his lawful wife, born on the 19 th of this month. The
godfather was Mr- Kerigoufili and the godmother Angelique
Metivier, his wife. * * *
P. du jaunay, Miss, of the Society of Jesus.
Constant quierigoufili; angelique metiviez; Laurent
ducharme.
November 29, 1763, 1 Solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission with the ceremonies prescribed by the holy Roman
Church, Angelique, daughter of Sieur Rene Bourassa and of
anne Chevalier, his lawful wife, born on the 18th of this month
96 it is to be noted that this is the first recorded baptism after the
Pontiac conspiracy at Mackinac, which broke out June 2, 1763. The
English troops, with the traders and escorting Indians, arrived from
Green Bay at L'Arbre Croche, July 1. The French traders had doubt-
less hastened on to Mackinac, where no Frenchmen were molested,
and this child, born in Wisconsin, was there baptized. La Fortune
(Lafortain) was again trading in Wisconsin the following year; see
Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 267 — Ed.
[68]
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Mackinac Baptisms
here at michilimakina. The godfather was Rene Bourassa, the
younger; and the godmother Angelique Sejourne, daughter of
Sieur Sejourne, who signed here with me. * * *
P. du jatjnay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Renee Bourassa; Rene bourassa; angelique Sejour-
nel.ee.
June 23, 1764, I Solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion, with the ceremonies prescribed by the holy Roman Church,
Marie Anne, legitimate daughter of michel joseph marchetau
dit des noyet and of Therese parent, his wife, born on the same
day of this month here at michilimakina. The godfather was
Mr- pierre Parent, acting commandant of this post;97 and the
godmother Marie Anne chaboiller, his wife. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
PIERRE PARANT; MARIE C. B. PARANT.
August 13, 1764, I solemnly baptized in the church of this
mission, michel,98 legitimate son of jean Baptiste Cadot and of
This is an interesting side-light on conditions at Mackinac, and
would lead to the belief that the Langlades had removed to Green
Bay in the spring of this year, 1764. Capt. George Ethrington, wfccn
obliged to abandon his post at Mackinac in June, 1763, had placed it
in charge of Lieut. Charles Langlade; see Ibid., pp. 253, 258. The
English garrison did not return until September, 1764; Ibid., pp. 270,
271. If the Langlades removed to Green Bay in the spring of 1764,
Parent must have held command until the arrival of Capt. William
Howard. — Ed.
°8 Michel Cadotte became an important Wisconsin trader. With his
elder brother, Jean Baptiste, he was early upon the Grand Portage of
Lake Superior. By 1784 he was wintering with the Indians at the
head of Chippewa River, and had posts on the St. Croix tributaries
and upper Mississippi, advancing with the Chippewa, his mother's
tribe, in their progress into former Sioux territory. About 1792 he
located at La Pointe village, Madelaine Island, wThence he frequently
went to winter at Lac du Flambeau and Lac Court Oreille, where he
had posts. Cadotte was agent for the North West, and later for the
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Athanasie, his wife, born at sault Ste Marie on the 22nd of
July last. The godfather was jean Baptiste Cauchois; and the
godmother Angelique sejournee, his wife. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
jean Bte Cauchoid; angelique Sejouene cauchoid.
September 13, 1764, I solemnly baptized in the church of
this mission Laurant Constant," legitimate son of Monsieur
Constant Kerigoufili and of Angelique Metivier,1 his wife, born
on the 8th of this month. The godfather was Laurant du
Charme, voyageur ; and the godmother Marguerite Metivier, hi3
wife. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Laukent duchaeme; marguerite mettevier du charme;
constant quieriguefili.
On the same day I administered holy baptism to a little girl,
born on the tenth of this month of a panise [woman slave] be-
longing to Sieur Cardin, who declared that the father was Sieur
American Pur Company. The Chippewa over whom he had great
influence, called him Kichemeshane (Great Michel). In 1818 two New
England traders named Warren arrived at La Pointe, and in 1821 they
married two of Cadotte's daughters. Two years later he sold his trad-
ing post to his sons-in-law, and retired from active life, dying at La
Pointe village in 1836. He married the daughter of White Crane,
hereditary chief of the tribe at this place. His wife survived him
for some years. — Ed.
»9 Laurent Fily was well-known to early Wisconsin settlers. His
grandfather, Michel Fily de Kerrigou, was a sergeant in the troops,
coming to Canada from Brittany. His father Constant was born (1710)
in Montreal. Laurent Fily first traded with the Sauk and Foxes on
the Mississippi and in Iowa. Later he married into the De Kauray
family, among the Winnebago, and was for some time clerk for
Jean l'Ecuyer at the Fox-Wisconsin Portage. He was trading at Mil-
waukee in 1804-05. Having entered the employ of Augustin Grignon,
he finally died in 1846 at the latter's home at Grand Kaukaulin (the
present Kaukauna). — Ed.
i Their marriage is recorded in Wis. Hist. Cotls., xviii, p. 486. — Ed.
[70 }
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Mackinac Baptisms
la joye. The godfather was pierre amable Roy; and the god-
mother Charlotte Bourassa, who gave her the name of Marie.
Done at Michilimakina, September 13, 1764.
P. du j a un ay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
AMABLE ROY.
Died the following autumn.
April 26, 1765, having privately baptized in the morning,
because he was considered in danger of death, a child born yes-
terday, legitimate son of Jean Baptiste Cauchois and of An-
gelique Sejourne, his wife,2 I supplied to him the ceremonies
prescribed by the holy Roman Church. His godfather was Mr
Sejourne dit Sans Chagrin ; and his godmother the wife of Sieur
Sejourne, the Grandfather and Grandmother of the child, who
gave him the name of jean Baptiste George. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Sejourne; angelique taro.
June 29, 1765, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mis-
sion Marie Charlotte, born on the 27th of the same month of
Catherine, a slave of Mr Sans Chagrin, the said Catherine hav-
ing declared that the said child belonged to Mr pierre Claire.
The godfather was Sieur Etienne Campion, voyageur; and the
godmother the wife of Sieur Sans Chagrin. * * *
P. du .taunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
Campion ; angelique taro.
June 13 [30], 1765, I supplied the ceremonies of holy bap-
tism to Antoine, legitimate son of antoine La fortune and of
Charles outoukis, his wife, born on the 23rd of January last on
the mississipi, above the mouth of the ouisconsin. The god-
2 This marriage is found Ibid., p. 486. — Ed.
[71]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
father was Sieur Nicolas Marchesseau ; and the godmother an-
geliqne Sejournee, wife of Sieur Cauchois. * * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
MAECHESSAU ; ANGELIQUE SE JOURNE.
This child had been privately baptized by Amable Eoi.
July 1, 1765, I supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to jean
Baptiste, born about the month of February, of the widow of
the late hyppolite Kinonchame, and I baptized him conditionally
because he who had privately baptized him declared that he had
not assured himself of the validity of his action. The godfather
was Sieur j. B. Charles Chaboyer, voyageur ; and the godmother
the wife of Sieur Michel Boyer. * * *
P. dtj jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.
CHABOILLEZ.
July 3, 1765, I supplied the ceremonies of holy Baptism to
and baptized conditionally francois, born at la grande Biviere
on the 1st of January, 17 64, the natural son of Bene la fortune
and a woman savage called Maccatemicoueoue, daughter of Mis-
soussicoue. The godfather was Sieur Chaboiller, trader; and
the godmother the wife of Sieur la Grandeur. # * *
P. du jaunay, miss, of the society of Jesus.3
LA FORTUNE ; CHABOILLEZ ; MARIANNE PARANT.
July 29, 1768, by us, Vicar-General of Louisiana, was Bap-
tized joseph marie, born In the Course of the month of October,
1767 of the Lawful marriage of Jean Baptiste Cadot And of
marie mouet his Wife. The godfather was Sieur Jean Baptiste
Chaboiller, trader ; And the godmother marie anne Viger, wife
of Sieur antoine Beauvais, Who signed with us. The mother,
a This is the last entry in the register, by Father Du Jaunay, who
•went back to Quebec, where he spent the remainder of his life. — Ed.
[72]
1695-18211
Mackinac Baptisms
who was present, Declared that she could not sign her name-
The father Was absent.
Gibatjlt, Vicar-general.4
Chaboillez ; marianne vige batjxves.
July 24, 1768, by us, Vicar-General of Louisiana, the under-
signed, was Baptized angelique, born on the [blank in Ms.] 29,
1767 of a slave of Mr- Cardin. The godfather was Sieur pierre
Grignon, trader ; And the godmother Demelle Veronique Cardin.
The godfather signed with us.
Gibault, Vic-Gen.
PIEREE GRIGNON.
July 24, 1768, by us, the undersigned, Vicar-General of
Louisiana, was Baptized marie Louise, born about nine months
ago, Of the lawful marriage Of Joseph Kakigiguam And Of
marie nanjoiquoy, his Wife. The godfather was Sieur Bazile
mador; and the godmother marie Louise Gibault. The god-
father signed with us. The godmother Declared that she could
not sign her name ; so did the mother, who was present as well as
the father.
Gibault, Vic-gen.
BASILE MADOR.
July 25, 1768, by us the undersigned, Vicar-General of Illi-
nois, was baptized marianne, born on February 28, 1767, of the
lawful marriage of Gabriel Cotte and Of agate Desjardins, his
Wife.5 The godfather was Sieur nicolas Catin, trader; and the
godmother Dame therese Campion, wife of Sieur pierre ignace
Du Bois, all of whom signed with us as did also the father who
4 See sketch of Gibault in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 292, note 14.
Some newly-discovered material on Gibault's connection with George
Rogers Clark is published in Amer. Hist. Review, xiv, pp. 544-557. — En.
5 Their marriage ceremony was performed the same day; see Ibid.,
pp. 487, 488 —Ed.
[73]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
was present. The mother, who was also present, declared thafc
she could not sign her name.
Gibault, Vic-gen.
cotte ; Catin ; therese Campion Dubois.
July 26, 1768, by us, Vicar-general of illinois, was baptized
marie joseph, born about a year ago, Of the lawful marriage of
joseph kakigiguam and Of marie nanjoiquoy, his wife. The
godfather was Jean Baptiste Cauchois; and the godmother
marie anne Viger, wife of antoine Beauvais, who signed with us.
The father and mother, who were present, Declared that they
could not sign their names.
Gibault, Vic-gen.
Marianne vige bauves ; Jean Bte Cauchoid.
July 26, 1768, by us, the undersigned Vicar-General of Illi-
nois, was baptized Marie, born about five years ago Of the law-
ful marriage Of Joseph Kakigiguam And of marie nanjoyquoy,
his Wife. The godfather was Sieur Joseph Ains ; and the god-
mother Dlle Marie therese Cardin. The godfather signed with
us. The godmother, father and mother who were present, de-
clared that they could not sign their names.
Gibault, Vic-gen.
Joseph ains.
July 27, 1768, by us, the und3rsigned Vicar-general of illi-
nois, was Baptized marie Louise, born about two years ago Of
the lawful marriage of jean Baptiste pacoacona and of frangois
marie megonojan, his wife. The godfather was pierre Grignon ;
and the godmother Marie Louise Gibault. The godfather signed
with us, as did also the father. The godmother and mother de-
clared that they could not sign their names.
Gibault, Vic. g.
PIERRE GRIGNON J JAN BAPTISTE PACOACONA.
[74]
1695-1821 J
Mackinac Baptisms
July 28, 1768, by us, the undersigned Vicar-general of illi-
nois, was solemnly Baptized marie Josephe about twenty-two
years old. The godfather was Sieur Charles Chaboillez, trader ;
and the godmother demelle therese Campion, wife of Sieur Du
Bois who signed with us.
Gibault, v. g.
Chaboillez; therese Campion Dubois.
I, the Undersigned Royal Notary, the Justice of the peace at
Michilimakina, Certify that, in the absence Of the Missionary
of the said post, the daughter of Charles Sanguinet and of
veronique Cardin, Born on the twenty-seventh of September of
this year, was privately Baptized by Sieur Pierre Chaboille
In testimony whereof we have signed these presents on the
day and in the year aforesaid at michilimakina September 27,
1770. Cardin.6
Cnle Sanguined.
June 27, 1775, by us, missionary Priest, the Ceremonies Of
holy Baptism were supplied to Laurent,7 born June 8, 1771, Of
the Lawful marriage of Joseph Laurent Bertrand And Of Marie
therese Du Lignon, his Wife. The Godfather was Sr Joseph
Perinault, merchant ; And the Godmother Dme Archange Barthe
who signed with us, as did also the Father who was present.
P. Gibault, missionary Priest.
Perinault; Archange barthe Askin;8 Laurent ber-
trand.
June 27, 1775, by us, priest and missionary, the Ceremonies
of Holy Baptism were supplied to Jean Baptiste,9 born on June
« For a sketch of this functionary see Ibid., p. 140, note 83. — Ed.
"i For the marriage of this person see Ibid., p. 498. — Ed.
s Wife of John Askin from Detroit, for whom see Ibid., p. 309, note
29.— Ed.
9 Jean Baptiste Bertrand married at Mackinac in 1804. Ibid.,
p. 510.— Ed.
[75]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
24, 1774, of the lawful marriage of joseph Laurent Bertrand
and of Marie therese Dulignon, his Wife. The godfather was
Sieur pierre Foretier, merchant; and The godmother dame
marianne Cardin, Who signed with us as did also the father,
who was present.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest.
MARIANNE CARDIN J Pre FORETIER ; LAURENT BERTRAND.
July 9, 1775, by us, priest and missionary, the ceremonies of
holy Baptism were supplied to Bernard, born March 22, 1770,
of the lawful marriage of Louis demouchelle and of frangoise,
a savage, bis wife, The godfather was Sieur francois La fon-
taine; and the godmother Dme marianne Cardin, who signed
with us. The father, who was present, could not sign his name.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest.
MARIANNA CARDIN LA FANTASI.10
July 9, 1775, by us, priest and missionary, the ceremonies of
holy Baptism were supplied to jean, born January 12, 1772, of
the lawful marriage of Louis du mouchelle and of frangoise a
savage, his wife. The godfather was Sieur pierre foretier ; and
the godmother Angelique Sejourne who signed with us.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest
ANGELIQUE SEJOURNE; Pre FORETIER.
July 9, 1775, by us, the undersigned missionary priest, was
Baptized frangoise, born May 12, 1774, of the lawful marriage
of Louis Dumouchelle and of francoise, a savage, his wife. The
godfather was Sieur Joseph perinault, merchant ; and the god-
mother demoiselle felicite Barthe. The godfather signed with
us. The father, who was present, declared that he could not
sign his name.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest..
Perinault.
i«>For her marriage see Ibid., pp. 488, 489. — Ed.
[76]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
July 10, 1775, by us, Priest and missionary, was Baptized
Conditionally Marianne Marcotte, born in the month of Septem-
ber, 1769, Of the lawful Marriage of Jean Baptiste marcotte
and of Marianne Neskeek, a savage, his wife. The godfather
was hypolitte Campeau, who declared that he could not sign his
name ; and the godmother Marie angelique Sejourne, who signed
with us.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest.
MAEIE ANGELIQUE SEJOURNE.
July 10, 1775, by us, priest and missionary, was Baptized
Conditionally Marguerite, born in the month of August, 1771
Of the Lawful Marriage of Jean Baptiste Marcotte and Of
Marianne Neskeek, his wife. The Godfather was hyppolite
Janis, merchant ; and the godmother Agathe, wife of Sieur Cote,
who declared that she could not sign her name. The godfather
signed with us.
P. Gibault, Priest.
H JANIS.
October 3, 1775, by us, the undersigned Priest and mission-
ary in the Illinois Country, was Baptized archauge, born the
same day Of the Lawful Marriage Of Sieur Jean Askin, King's
Commissioner at this post, and Of Dame Archange Berthe, his
Wife. The godfather was Sieur hypolite Chaboyer, merchant ;
and the godmother Dlle felicite Berthe who declared that she
could not sign her name. The godfather signed with us.
P. Gibault, miss. Priest.
H. Chaboillez.
In 1776, Marianne Cardin, wife of fransoi morisse Le fante-
sie, gave birth to a boy on the 15th of March. He was privately
baptized by his uncle, Joseph Ainsse, at six o'clock in the eve-
ning.
[77]
Wisconsin Historical Collections EVoi. xix
In the year 1778, marianne Cardin, wife of francois Morise
dit La fantizie, gave birth to a hoy on June 18. He was pri-
vately baptized by his uncle, Joseph Ainsse.
August 13, 1781, was privately baptized Domitille, legitimate
daughter of Sieur Charles Gautier and Madelaine Pascal, his
lawful Wife, born the same Day at Noon.
John Coates, Notary Public.11
I certify you that, according to the due and prescribed order
of the Church, at noon on this day and at the above place, be-
fore clivers Witnesses, I baptized this Child Charlotte Claves.
Patt. Sinclair, Lt. Governor, & Justice of the Peace.12
Witnesses signed : William Grant ; John l Macnamaa ;
Geo. Mc Beatii ; D. Mc Crae ; George Meldrum.
John Coates, Notary Public.13
July 15, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Magdelaine, aged seven years less about
two months, daughter of sieur Charles Gauthier and of Magde-
laine Paschal Chevalier, his wife.14 The Godfather was sieur
joseph bains; and the godmother Genevieve Beaubien Cuillerie,
dame Barthe, who signed with us, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss. Priest.15
ainse ; C. Gautier.
3i For this official see Ibid., p. 434, note 45. — Ed.
12 The preceding entry is written in English by the British com-
mandant. Probably the child baptized belonged to one of the garrison.
The witnesses were prominent Mackinac traders. For a sketch of
Sinclair see Id., xi, p. 141, note 1. — Ed.
is Following this in the register is an entry for 1804, which has
been placed in its proper chronological sequence. — Ed.
i4 For their marriage see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 490-492. This
elder daughter, Magdelaine, became the wife of Henry Monroe Fisher,
an American resident of Prairie du Chien. — Ed.
is For this missionary see Ibid., p. 493, note 25. — Ed.
[78]
1695-1821 J
Mackinac Baptisms
July 15, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Domitille,16 five years old, daughter of
Sieur Charles Gauthier and of Magdelaine Paschal Chevalier,
his wife. The Godfather was sieur Etienne Campion ; and the
godmother demoiselle felicite Carignan, who signed with us as
did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Felicite Carignant ; Et"6 Campion ; C Gauthier.
July 6, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Pierre, about two months old, son of a Ne-
gress belonging to monsieur Carignan, Notary public. The
Godfather was Sieur Etienne Campion ; and the Godmother Su-
sanne hirbou, widow Pelleiter, who declared that she could not
sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
ETne Campion.
July 16, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Augustin, natural son of Augustin Sarasin
and of a savage mother, about four years old, adopted by mon-
sieur Charles Gauthier. The Godfather was sieur Louis Carig-
nan ; and the Godmother Magdeleine Paschal Chevalier, dame
Gauthier, who declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
L. Carignan.
July 16, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Daniel, born on June 22, 1780, of Sieur
Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, his wife.17 The
Godfather was monsieur Pierre Grignon ; The Godmother dame
Jean baptiste Barth, who declared that she could not sign her
name.
Payet, Miss, priest,
riERKE GRIGNON ; Dl. BoTJRASSA.
i« For her marriage see Ibid., p. 499. — Ed.
17 For their marriage see Ibid., p. 492. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 16, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Marguerite Bourassa,18 born May 25, 1782,
of sieur Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, his wife.
The Godfather was Sieur Jean Baptiste Laf ramboise ; and the
godmother Dame Charles Gauthier, who declared that she could
not sign her name.
Payet, priest.
Laframboise, fils; Dl Bourassa.
July 16, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Archange, born March 8, 1784, of sieur
Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, his wife. The
godfather was sieur Luc Chevalier; the Godmother Susanne
hirbou who declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Dl Bourassa ; Luc chevalier.
July 16, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to jean Baptiste, born June 24, T786, of
Sieur Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, his wife.
The godfather was sieur Charles Danglade ; and the Godmother
Madame Carignan, who signed with us as did also the father.
Payet, Miss.n priest.
Langlade fils ; pillet Carignan ; Dl. Bourassa.
July 17, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to joseph Marie, born November 1, 1785, the
natural son of Joseph Mersier and of a savage mother. The
Godfather was Jean Rives; and the Godmother felicite Carig-
nan, who signed with us as did also the father.
Payet, Miss.n priest.
joseph Mersier; Jean Reeves; Felicite Carignan.
is She married Guillaume Varin; see Ibid., pp. 506, 511. — Ed.
[80]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
July 17, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Marie, born February 1, 1783, the natural
daughter of josepli Mersier and of a savage mother. The god-
father was sieur Etienne Campion ; and the Godmother Dame
jean baptiste Bar the, who declared that she could not sign her
name.
Payet, Miss, priest
josepii Mersier ; Et"6 Campion.
July 19, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Michel, about two years old, natural son of
Michel Labat and of a savage mother. The Godfather was
Pierre Grignon; and the Godmother dame Bourassa who de-
clared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss.n priest
MlCHELL LABATT J PIERRE GRIGNON.
July 19, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of baptism to Marie Magdelaine, about three years old,
natural daughter of a stranger, called Jean Waters, and of a
savage mother. The Godfather was Sieur Etienne Campion;
and the Godmother Dame Gauthier who declared that she could
not sign her name.
Payet, priest
J. Bte Laframboise, fils19 ; ETne Campion.
July 19, 1786, I, the undersigned parish Priest, supplied the
ceremonies of Baptism to Marie, about seven years old, natural
daughter of Antoine Guillory and of a savage mother. The
Godfather was Sieur Etienne Campion; and the Godmother
Madame Gauthier who declared that she could not sign her
name.
Payet, Miss.n priest.
ETne Campion ; antoine Guillory.
!» In the margin was written: "Marie Waters adopted by Jean
Baptiste Laframboise the younger." — Ed.
6 [81]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Jul j 19, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Charles, about fifteen months old, natural
son of Sieur danglade, the younger,20 and of a savage mother.
The Godfather was pierre Joseph hains; and the Godmother
dame jean baptiste Barthe who declared that she could not sign
her name.
Pa yet, Miss.n priest.
ainsse ; C. Langlade fils.
July 20, 1786, I, the undersigned priest supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Joseph, born April 17, 1782. The god-
father was Sieur Joseph hains; and the godmother Madame
Gauthier who declared that she could not sign her name. The
child is the issue of Monsieur Luc Chevalier and of a savage
mother.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
AINSSE ; LUC CHEVALIER.
July 20, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Jean baptiste, born February 14, 1785.
The Godfather was Monsieur Louis Chaboyer; and the God-
mother madame Daniel Bourassa who declared that she could not
sign her name. The child belongs to Monsieur Luc Chevalier
and a savage mother.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
Luc chevalier; L. Chaboillez.
July 20, 1786, I,- the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Marguerite, born December 23, ,1778.
The godfather was Monsieur Carignan, Notary Public ; and the
Godmother felicite Pillet, his wife, who signed with us. The
child is the issue of Monsieur Luc Chevalier and of a woman
20 in the margin appears: "Charles, an added word, correct. Payet,
Priest." For this person see sketch in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 495,
note 29. — Ed.
[82]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
savage, his marriage with whom he proposes to have ratified in
the manner prescribed by our mother the holy church.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
PELLET CARIGNAN ; L. CARIGNAN ; LUC CHEVALIER.
July 20, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to joseph, born October 8, 1778, of Laurent
Bertrand and the late Marie Therese Dulignon, his father and
mother, in lawful marriage. The Godfather was Sieur Joseph
[Jean] Eives ; and the Godmother Madame Bourassa, sister of
the child, who declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Laurent Bertrand; Jean Beeves.
July 20, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Eustache, born at midnight September 20,
1782, of the lawful marriage of Laurent Bertrand and Marie T.
Dulignon. The Godfather was Mr- Louis Cardin ; and the God-
mother Madame Gauthier.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
Laurent Bertrand; Louis Cardin.
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Rosalie, about six years old, daughter of a
Negro called Joas Bongas and of Marie Jeanne, a Negress, liv-
ing with monsieur Robertson, Captain, Commandant of Michili-
makinac and dependencies.21 The Godfather was Monsieur An-
toine Barthe ; and the Godmother Madame Jean baptiste Barthe,
who declared that she could not sign her name, as did also the
father.
Payet, Miss11, priest,
Antoin Barthe.
2i For Capt. Daniel Roberstson, .see Ibid., p. 436, note 50. — Ed.
[83]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Joachim born in the month of June, 1776,
of the lawful marriage of Louis Dumouchel and francoise of the
nation of the courtes Oreilles. The Godfather was Mr- Alexis
Campion ; and the Godmother Mde- Gauthier, who declared that
she could not sign her name, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
A. CAMPION.
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Josephte, born December 26, 1777, of the
lawful marriage of Louis Dumouchel and francoise of the na-
tion aforesaid. The Godfather was Sieur Pierre Thierry ; and
the Godmother Mde- Bourassa, who declared that she could not
sign her name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
P. THIERRY.
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Magdelaine, born August 7, 1784, of the
lawful marriage of Louis Dumouchel and francoise, of the na-
tion above mentioned. The Godfather was Mr- J ean Rives ; and
the Godmother Mde- Carignan, who signed with us. The father
declared that he could not sign his name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
pillet Carignant; Jean Reeve.
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Gabriel, born February 17, 1783, a
natural son of Gabriel hattinas dit Lavio[le]tte and of a savage
mother. The Godfather was Mr* Etienne Campion; and the
Godmother Dame Jean Baptiste Barthe, who declared that she
could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss. Priest.
Gabriel hattina ; ETne Campion.
[84]
1695-1821 1
Mackinac Baptisms
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, baptized Mar-
guerite, two years, four months and six days old, natural daugh-
ter of Barthelmi chevalier and of a savage mother. The God-
father was Mr* jean Baptiste Chevalier; and the Godmother
Madame Bourassa, who declared that she could not sign her
name, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss. Priest.
J. Bap16- Chevalier.
July 22, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to Genevieve, sixteen months and some days
old, born of the lawful marriage of Louis Dufau and of Marie
Louise of the sauteux nation. The Godfather was Mr- hypolite
Deriviere; and the Godmother dame Jeanne Baptiste Barthe
who declared that she could not sign her name, as did also the
father.
Payet, Miss. Priest.
HYPOLITE DERIVIERE.
July 30, 178G, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the cere-
monies of Baptism to francois, about a year and a half old,
natural son of frangois Boy and of a savage mother. The God-
father was Monsieur Etienne Campion; and the Godmother
M&dame Carignan, who signed with us, the father declaring
that he could not sign his name.
Payet, Miss11* priest.
pillet Carignan ; Et"€ Campion.
August 1, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, solemnly baptized
a Savage Chief of the courts Oreilles or Outaois nation to whom
the name of Charles was given. The Godfather was Monsieur
Charles Viarville Gauthier, King's interpreter; and the God-
mother Madame Daniel Bourassa, who declared that she could
not sign her name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
C. Gautier.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
August 1, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, solemnly baptized
a Panis (belonging to Madame, widow hiacinte Amelin) about
twenty years old. He received the name of francois Xavier.
The Godfather was Monsieur Paul Lacroix ; and the Godmother
Susanne hirbou, who declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
PAUL HTJBER La CrOIX.
August 1, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, baptized Therese,
about ten years old, daughter of Sieur Jean Baptiste Marcot and
of Thimotee, of the Outaois nation, his lawful wife.22. The
Godfather was Mr- Jean Baptiste Chevalier ; and the Godmother
Md' Carignan, who signed with us.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
pillet Carignan ; j. Bap*6 Chevalier.
August 1, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, baptized Magde-
laine,23 about six years old, legitimate daughter of Sieur Jean
Baptiste Marcot and of Thimotee of the Outaois nation. The
Godfather was Sieur Antoine Barthe; and the Godmother
Madame Charles Gauthier, who declared that she could not sign
her name.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
Antoin Barthe.
August 13, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, baptized Magde-
laine, born March 17, 1782, natural daughter of Dominique
Chevare and of a savage mother. The Godfather was Sieur
22 This entry gives another form for the Ottawa wife of Jean Bap-
tiste Marcot, spoken of in preceding and later entries as Marie Nesketh.
Her daughter Therdse, whose baptism is here recorded, became first
the wife of Pierre Lasaliere, later of George Schindler. See Id., xiv,
p. 17, note; xviii, p. 508. — Ed.
23 She married Joseph la Framboise; see Id., xi, pp. 373 374; xiv,
pp. 38-40; xviii, p. 507 — Ed.
[86]
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Mackinac Baptisms
Carignan, Notary public; and the Godmother demoiselle Carig-
nan, who signed with us.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
L. Carignan ; felicite Carignan.
August 13, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, baptized Etienne,
born on February 5, 1785, natural son of Dominique Chevere
and of a savage mother. The Godfather was Monsieur Etienne
Campion; and the Godmother Mde* Daniel Bourassa, who de-
clared that she could not sign her name, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
Etne Campion.
August 15, 1786, I, the undersigned priest, Baptized a Panis,
about nine years old, belonging to monsieur Jean baptiste
Barthe. The Godfather was monsieur Jean baptiste Lafram-
boise, the younger; and the Godmother mademoiselle Carignan,
who signed with us.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
felicite Carignant ; J. Bte Laframboise.
August 15, T786, I, the undersigned priest, baptized a female
panis slave of Monsieur Jean baptiste Barthe, about twenty
years old. The Godfather was Sieur Gabriel Cote; and the
Godmother madame Jean baptiste Barthe, who declared that
she could not sign her name.
Payet, Missn* priest.
G. COTTI.
August 18, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, baptized Louis,
born this morning of the lawful marriage of Louis Maur and
of Marie Moran, his wife. The Godfather was francois Du-
quet ; and the Godmother demoiselle Carignan, who signed with
us. The father declared that he could not sign his name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
felicite Carignant ; Francois duquete.
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July 26, 1787, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
Pierre, born seven months ago, legitimate son of Louis Dufaux
and of a savage mother, called Marie Louise of the Sauteurs
nation. The godfather was Pierre Thierry ; and the godmother
felicite Pilet, madame Carignan, both of whom signed. The
father declared that he could not sign his name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
P. THIERRY; FELICITE PILLET CaRIGNAN.
July 31, 1787, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
Marie, about three months old, natural daughter of a female
panis slave of Mr- Barthe. The godfather was J ean llives ; and
the Godmother Magdelaine Chevalier, dame Gauthier, who
declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Jean Peeves.
August 3, 1787, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
Domitille, born four months and thirteen days ago, legitimate
daughter of Pierre Grignon and of Louise Domitille Langlade,
his wife. The godfather was Sieur Alexis Laframboise; and
the Godmother Genevieve Beaubien Cueilliere, dame Barthe,
who declared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Al. Laframboise; pierre grignon; domitille Langlade.
August 5, 1787, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
Autoine, about six years and four months old, natural son of
Aritoine Guillory and of a savage mother. The godfather was
Paul Tenier; and the Godmother dame Daniel Bourassa, who
signed with us, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
antoine Guillory ; Paul tenier.
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August 5, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Pierre Antoine,24 born October 21, 1797 [1777],
son of Pierre Grignon and of Domitille Langlade, bis wife.
The godfather was Sieur Gabriel Cotte; and the godmother
Magdelaine Chevalier, who declared that she could not sign
her name.
Payet, priest
G. COTTE ; PIERRE GRIG^OW.
August 5, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Jean baptiste, born on November 25, T783, natural son of
Antoine Guillory and of a savage mother. The godfather was
Nicolas Marchessau ; and the Godmother felicite Pilet, dame
Carignan, who signed with us, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
MARCHESSAU ; ANTOINE GuiELORY.
August 6, T787, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Charles, born June 14, 1779, son of Pierre Grig-
non and of Louise Domitille Langlade, bis wife. The god-
father was Charles Langlade, maternal uncle of the child ; and
the godmother Marie souligni, who declared that she could not
sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
C. Langlade; pie.25
24 This was the eldest son of the Grignon family, known as Pierre
the younger, or "Fanfan." After his father's death he became head
of the family, dying at Green Bay, March 4, 1823; see Id., vii, pp. 178,
242, 243, and post— Ed.
25 The signature of the father, Pierre Grignon, begun and for some
reason not completed. This son Charles lived at one time on the site
of Oshkosh; previous to this he had lived in Canada for some years.
Hid., p. 349; xv, pp. 19, 20; and post.— Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
August 6, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Augustin,26 born on June 27, 1780, son of Pierre
Grignon and of Louise Domitille Langlade, his wife. The god-
father was Sieur Joseph Ainse; and the Godmother dame
Daniel Bourassa, who declared that she could not sign her
name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
pierre grignon; ainsse.
August 6, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Louis,27 born on September 23, 1783, son of
Pierre Grignon and of Louise Domitille Langlade, his wife.
The Godfather was Sieur Alexis Laframboise; and the God-
mother dame Carignan, who signed with us.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
PELICTTE PILL.ET CaRIGNAN ; PIERRE GRIGNON; ALEXIS La-
FRAMBOISE.
August 6, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
26 Augustin Grignon became a well-known character in early Wiscon-
sin history. Like his forbears, he early engaged in the fur-trade, win-
tering in northwest Wisconsin for several years. He then undertook
for a time the business of transportation at the Fox-Wisconsin portage.
His later home was at Kaukauna, where he lived in patriarchial
fashion, with Indian, half-breed, and white relatives and employees.
About 1830 he removed to the village of Butte des Morts in Winnebago
County, where in 1857 he was interviewed by Dr. Lyman C. Draper,
and the results embodied in "Seventy-two Years' Recollections of Wis-
consin," in volume iii of the Collections (see his portrait in the re-
print edition). In his reminiscences he describes this visit to Mack-
inac to be baptized by the priest Payet. He notes the commandant's
name as Robinson (Robertson, in fact); see Id., iii, p. 261. He died
in 1860. — Ed.
27 Louis Grignon (1783-1839) was one of the most progressive and
intelligent of the French settlers at Green Bay. An early patron of
schools, he had his children educated and made his home a centre of
hospitality and culture. See Id., vii, p. 244. — Ed.
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-conditionally Jean baptiste,28 born July 23, 1785, son of Pierre
Grignon and of Louise Domitille Langlade, his wife. The
godfather was monsieur Etienne Campion; and the godmother
demoiselle felicite Carignan, who signed with us, as did also
the father.
Payet, Missn- priest.
FELICITE CARIGNAN ; PIERRE GRIGNON ; ETne CaMPION.
August 7, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Magdelaine, about seven years old, natural daugh-
ter of hypolite Larrivee and of a savage mother. The God-
father was Sieur hyppolite Deriviere; and the godmother
dame Jean Baptiste Barthe, who declared that she could not
sign her name, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
HYPOLITE DERIVIERES.
August 8, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Paul, about eleven years old, natural son of
Joseph Bouche and of a savage mother. The godfather was
Sieur Paul Tenier ; and the godmother madame Carignan, who
signed with us.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
FELICITE PILLET CARIGNAN J PAUL TENIER.
• In 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized condi-
tionally Louise, about eleven years old, natural daughter of
Joseph Roc and of a savage mother. The godfather was Sieur
Antoine Barthe; and the Godmother madame Gauthier, who
declared that she could not sign her name, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
Antoin Barthe.
28 Jean Baptiste Grignon was still living in Green Bay as late aa
1832. Less progressive than his brothers, he occupied his time with
farming, and was employed by the British in the War of 1812-15. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
August 8, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally, Angelique, nine years old, natural daughter of
Joseph Roc and of a savage mother. The godfather was Sieur
Louis Chaboiller; and the godmother madame Carignan, who
signed with me.
Payet,, Miss, priest.
FELICITE PIEEET CaRIGNAN ; L. ChABOILLIEZ ; ANTOINE
Baethe.
August 8, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Charlotte, six years old, natural daughter of
Joseph Roc and of a savage mother. The godfather was Sieur
Pierre Thierry; and the godmother madame Daniel Bourassa,
who declared that she could not sign her name, as did also the
father.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
P. Thierry.
August 8, 1787, was baptized Augustin, seven months old,
natural son of Joseph Roc and of a savage mother. The god-
father was monsieur Joseph Ainse; and the godmother madame
Barthe, who declared that she could not sign her name, as did
also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest,
Ainsse.
August 9, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Antoine, two years old, natural son of Antoine Guigere and of
a savage mother. The godfather was jean Alexis Campion;
and the godmother madame Gauthier, who declared that she
could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
FlLOGIGERE ; A CAMPION".
August 12, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Pierre, about three years old, natural son of one Charles Vale
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Mackinac Baptisms
and of a savage mother. The godfather was Sieur Alexis La-
framboise; and the godmother madame Carignan, who signed
with us, the father being absent.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
FELICITE PILLET CARIGNAN ; A. L. LafRAMBOISE.
August 15, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was bap-
tized Marie, four and a half years old, legitimate daughter of
Amable Chevalier, a savage of the Outaouais nation, and of
Catherine kimiouenan of the same nation. The godfather was
monsieur Ainse; and the godmother madame jean baptisto
Barthe, who declared that she could not sign her name, as did
also the father.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
AlNSSE.
August 15, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Amable, thirteen years old, natural son of Pierre Grignon and
of a savage mother.29 The godfather was Sieur Antoine Ta-
beau; and the godmother mademoiselle Carignan, who signed
with us as did also the father.
Payet, Missn- priest.
A. TaBEAU ; FELICITE CARIGNAN ; PlERR GRIGNON.
August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Josephete Lesable, about fifty years old, a Sau-
teux woman savage. The godfather was Sieur Etienne Cam-
pion; and the Godmother Mde- Jean baptiste Barthe, who de-
clared that she could not sign her name.
Payet, Miss, priest.
L. HAMELIN ;30 ETne CAMPION.
29 This child died while at school in Montreal; Id., iii, p. 242. The
younger Amable Grignon was born in 1795. — Ed.
so The margin informs us that she was the wife of Louis Hamelin,
who signed the register. — Ed.
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August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally, Josette,31 born August 4, 1769, natural daughter
of Louis hamelin and of Josephete Lasable. The godfather
was Sieur Pierre Grignon; and the godmother Mde* Carignan,
who signed with us.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
pierre grignon; felicite Carignan; L. hamelin Father.
August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Charlotte, born October 15, 1771, natural daugh-
ter of Louis hamelin and of Josephte Lasable, her father and
mother. The godfather was Sieur Charles Courtois; and the
godmother Madame Gauthier, who declared that she could not
sign her name,
Payet, Miss, priest.
Charle Courtois ; L. Hamelin Father.
August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Jean baptiste, born January 24, 1774, natural
son of Louis Llamelin and of Josette Lasable, his father and
mother. The godfather was Sieur Carignan; and the god-
mother Madame Grinon, who signed with us, as did also the
father.
Payet, Miss11- priest.
L. Carignan ; madame grignon ; L. hamelin Father.
August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Catherine, born on June 17, 1776, natural daugh-
ter of Louis hamelin and of Josette Lesable, her father and
mother. The godfather was Sieur Charles Langlade; and the
Godmother mademoiselle Carignan, who signed with us, as did
also the father.
Payet, priest.
L. hamelin Father ; C. Langlade ; felicite Carignan.
3i Married in 1797 to Andre" Charlebois; Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p.
499.— Ed.
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August 19, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
conditionally Augustin, born February 7, 1779, natural son
of Louis hamelin and of Josephte Lasable, his father and
mother, a savage of the sauteurs nation. The godfather was
monsieur Jean baptiste Barthe; and the godmother madame
Daniel Bourassa, who declared that she could not sign her
name.
Payet, Miss11, priest.
J. B. Bakthe ; L. hamelin Father.
August 25, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Louise, natural daughter of Jacques Levasseur and of a savage
mother,22 about six months old. The godfather was francois
souligni; and the godmother madame Carignan, who signed
with us, the father being absent.
Payet, Miss, priest.
felicite pillet Carignan; P. Souligny.
August 25, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
francois Louis, twenty months old, natural son of francois
Souligni and of a savage mother. The godfather was Mon-
sieur Carignan; and the godmother Mademoiselle felicite
Carignan, who signed with us, as did also the father.
Payet, Miss, priest.
felicite Carignan ; L. Carignan ; Frs Souligny.
September 1, 1789, in the afternoon, by the undersigned
notary, was privately baiptized Marie Louise, daughter of
Amable Chevalier, a Savage, and of Catherine Chenier, an-
other savage, both Baptized. The child is about 7 months old.
L. Carignan.
32 The parents were not married until 1799; see Ibid., p. 503. For
her marriage to Joseph Gautier dit Caron, see pp. 504, 507. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
September 29, 1792, was born and privately baptized by me,
the undersigned, on the Thirtieth, Michel, son of Mr- Daniel
Bourassa and of Dame Marguerite Bertrand his father and
mother, born in lawful marriage. * * *
C. Gauthier.
October 21, 1792, by me the undersigned, was privately bap-
tized Therese Victoire, born this day, of the lawful Marriage of
Mr- Jean Baptiste Barthe and of Dame Genevieve Beaubiem
* * * ADHEMAE St MARTIN.
February 7, 1793, I, the Undersigned, privately baptized
Etienne, son of a woman savage called Veronique, belonging to
Mr- J. Bte Barthe. The said child was born this day. * * *
ADHEMAE St MARTIN J. P.
August 12, 1793, by Mr- Etienne Campion, was privately
baptized Alexis, born this day, at half -past one o'clock in the
morning, of the lawful Marriage of Sieur Alexis Laframboise
and of Dame Josette Adhemar, his wife.33 In the presence of
the said Sieur Laframboise and of Dame adhemar St martin,
who have signed.
Alexis Laframboise ; blondeau adhemar.
February 6, 1794, I, the Undersigned, privately baptized
Marguerite, about twenty years old, belonging to Monsieur
Alexis Laframboise, In the presence of the witnesses who have
signed. * ■ ■ * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
G. Young; Alexis Laframboise; T. Pothier; angelique
adhemar; Adhemar Laframboise.
April 7, 1794, I, the undersigned, privately baptized Alex-
andre, born March Id, last, of the lawful marriage of Sieur
33 For a reminiscence of these people see Id., xiv, p. 20. — Ed.
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Daniel Bourassa and of Madame Marguerite Bert rand, his
Dl. Bourassa; Alexis Laframboise.
April 7, 1794, I, the Undersigned, privately baptized Regis,
born on the [blank in MS] of the month of March last, of a
panis woman belonging to Mr- Daniel Bourassa, In the presence
of the witnesses who signed with us. * ■ * *
May 4, 3 794, I, the undersigned priest, apostolic Missionary,
Religious of the order of St Dominic, supplied the ceremonies
of Holy Baptism to Charlotte, a free negress, eight years old,
legitimate daughter of Jean Bonga and of Janne, her father
and mother, privately baptized by the Midwife. The god-
father was Alexis Laframboise; and the godmother genevieve
Blondeau who signed below in testimony thereof.
BD. ADHEMAK.
May IT, 1794, I, the undersigned priest, apostolic Mission-
ary, French Dominican religious, supplied the ceremonies of
holy Baptism to therese Victoire, born October 21, 1792, of the
lawful marriage of Mr- Jean Bte Barthe and of genevieve Beau-
bien, her father and mother, privately baptized by Mr> antoine
adhemar. The godfather was the aforesaid Mr- antoine adhe-
mar, royal Notary at this post of Michilimakina ; and the god-
mother dame genevieve Blondeau, wife of Mr- ant. adhemar,
who have signed beneath in testimony thereof.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN" J. P.
Le Dru,
apostolic Miss.
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J BLONDEAU ADHEMAR.
34 For this priest see Id., xviii, p. 497, note 32.— Ed.
7
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May 11, 1794, I, the undersigned priest, apostolic Mission-
ary, French Dominican religious, baptized marie Anne, born
in The Woods of an Outhawa woman savage and of george
Cown, an american,35 about nine years old. The godfather was
Mr- Antoine Adhemar ; and the godmother Marie felicite Carig-
nan. * * *
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN; MARIE FELICITE CaRIGNAN.
On the day and in the year above written, I supplied the cere-
monies of holy Baptism to ursule, six years old, born in The
Woods, natural daughter of a woman Savage of the nation of
the Sotteurs and of joseph marie mercier, privately baptized at
La Baie Des Renards. The godfather was philippe francois
Souligny ; and the godmother Suzanne hirbourg who signed be-
neath in testimony thereof.
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
S. iiirbour; Fr. Souligny.
June 1, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies of
holy Baptism to marie magdaleine, two and a half years old,
natural daughter of a woman savage of the nation of the Sot-
teurs and of Jerome Blot, privately baptized by Mr- Charles
Gauthier. The godfather was Louis Amelin; and the god-
mother marie felicite Carignant. * * *
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
L. hamelin ; Marie Felicite Carignant.
June 15, 1704, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of holy Baptism to Jean antoine, born in The Woods, of a wo-
man savage and of George Cown. The said natural child,
about twelve years old, had been privately baptized by Sieur
Daniel Bourassa. The godfather was Toussaint antoine ad-
35 For a letter of this trader, see IMd., pp. 435, 436. — Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
hemar, Boyal Notary and justice of the peace; and the god-
mother genevieve Blondeau. * * *
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
ADHEMAE St MARTIN ; BLONDEAU ADHEMAE.
June 15, 1794, I, the undersigned, Baptized Antoine and
marie Magdelaine, natural children of a woman savage of the
nation of the Sotteurs and of Antoine Soud, a Canadian. The
boy is two and a half years old and the girl twenty-three days.
The godfather of antoine was philippe Soud dit martin; and
the godmother marie felicite Carignan. The godfather of
Marie Magdelaine was jean Baptiste Laborde; [and the god-
mother Marguerite Chevalier], only one of whom signed; the
others, being unable to write, made their usual mark in testi-
mony thereof.
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
Marie felicite Carignan ; Philippe Soud + his mark ;
J. Bapt Bertrand + his mark; Marguerite Chevalier +
her mark.
June 18, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of holy Baptism to pierre, natural son of a woman savage of the
nation of the courtes oreilles, and of joseph roy, who had been
privately baptized by Mr- Gautier. The godfather of the child,
who is a year old, was phillippe Soud dit martin ; and the god-
mother Marguerite Sans regret who declared that they could not
sign their names when thereunto requested by me.
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
June 18, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of holy Baptism to angelique, five years old, natural daughter
of a woman savage of the nation of the courtes oreilles, and of
joseph roy, who had been privately baptized by Mr- Gautier.
The godfather was Nicolas Loisel ; and the godmother Magde-
laine Chevalier, wife of Mr- Charles Gauthier de vierville, who
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
declared that they could not sign their names when thereunto
requested by me.
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
June 22, 1794, I, the undersigned, baptized conditionally
marie, five years old, natural daughter of a woman savage, na-
tion unknown, and of Andre Roy. The godfather was Nicolas
frerot; and the godmother Marie Josephte Poitrat. * * *
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
Nicolas freraut; M. Joseph poitra.
June 25, 1794, I, the undersigned, baptized Marie Josephte
and henry, the former a woman Savage of the nation of the
courtes oreilles, about thirty years old; and the latter, twelve
years old, the natural son of the said marie Josephte and of
Monsieur henry Bostick [Bostwick].36 The godfather of Marie
Josephte was Antoine Adhemar; [and the godmother madame
Adhemar] wife of Monsieur Alexis Laframboise. The god-
father of the boy called henry was Monsieur Louis hamelin ; and
the godmother Barbe felicite pillet, widow Carignan. * * *
Le Drtj, apostolic Miss.
Adhemar St martin; Veuve Carignan; Adhemar La-
framboise; L. hamelin.
June 29, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies of
Baptism to Eloy, Magdelaine, and Alexandre, all three born of
the lawful marriage of Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Ber-
trand, their father and mother, privately baptized by Mrs* Cam-
pion, carignant, and adhemar. The godfather of the 1st, that is
of Eloy, was Etienne Campion; and the godmother angelique
adhemar. The godfather of the second, that is of Madeleine
was Dominique Ducharme; and the godmother Magdelaine
Gautier. The godfather of the third, that is of Alexandre, was
39 For this trader, see a sketch in Ibid., p. 238, note 22. — Ed.
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Nicolas frerot; and the godmother josephte Poitra, some of
whom signed and the others, being nnable to write, made their
usual marks. A
Le Dru, apostolic Miss.
ETne Campion; angelique adhemae ; Dq. Ducharme;
Magdeleine gautier + her mark; Nicolas frerau; m.
josph POITRA.
June [July] 5, 1794, I, the undersigned, Baptized Alexan-
dre, natural son of a woman savage of the nation of the courtes
oreilles and of george Couwn. The godfather was Alexandre
Colbert; and the godmother marianne cown. * * *
Le Dru.
Alex. Ctjthbert.
July 6, 1794, I, the undersigned, Baptized apoline, four
years old, natural daughter of a woman of the nation of the
courtes oreilles and of francois Souligny. The godfather was
Monsieur Maurice Mougrain; and the godmother Louise dubois,
who signed beneath in testimony thereof.
Le Dru, Miss.
Mau6 Mougrain ; D. B. Solomon.
July 6, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies of
holy Baptism to Charlotte, eighteen months old, natural daugh-
ter of Marguerite Marcotte and of Charles Wagacoucher, pri-
vately baptized by Mr* Charles Chandonnet The godfather
was the aforesaid Charles Chandonnet; and the godmother
Elizabeth Solomon. * * *
Le Dru, Miss.
Charles Chandonett; Elizbeth Solomons.
July 9, 1794, I, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies of
holy Baptism to Marie Louise, legitimate daughter of Amable
Chevalier and of Catherine, a woman savage, privately bap-
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
tized by Mr- Louis Carignan, Royal Notary at this post. The
godfather was Mr- Etienne Campion; and the godmother MP*
felicite Carignan. * * *
Le Drtj, Miss.
ETne Campion; Marie Felicite Carignant.
August 24, 1794, I, the undersigned pierre Gamelin, pri-
vately baptized Genevieve, daughter, issue of the lawful mar-
riage of Sieur Alexis Laframboise and of madame Josephte Ad-
hemar. * * * The said girl was born yesterday, the 23rd
instant.
Pierre Gamelin, J. P.
G. cotti J. P. ; Alexis Laframboise ; Dn Cameron ; ad-
hemar St martin; Joseph La Framboise; bd adhemar;
Francois La Framboise ; angelique adhemar.
October 26, 1794, I, the undersigned, privately baptized
Charlotte,37 a female sauteux savage, in the presence of the un-
dersigned witnesses. The said girl is seventeen years old.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
Witness : Robt. Campbell ; Robert McKenzie ; Alex Shaw.
October 27, 1794, I, the undersigned, privately baptized Jo-
sette, legitimate daughter issue of the lawful marriage of Sieur
Nicolas freraux and of Dame Josephte Poitras, his wife, born
this day half an hour after midnight. * * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN
Nicolas frerau.
f
September 23, 1795, I, the undersigned, privately baptized a
girl named Angelique, born of the lawful marriage of joseph
Vaillancourt and of Marie Elizabeth Bourgoin, born this day.
* * * ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
37 Married the same day; IMd., p. 497— Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
February 16, 1796, I, the undersigned, privately baptized a
girl born the day before yesterday of the lawful marriage of
Jean Baptiste La borde dit Sans regret and of Marguerite
Machar Chevalier.38 * * *
ADTIEMAE St MARTIN J. P.
March 25, 1796, I, the undersigned, one of his Majesty's
Justices of the Peace, privately baptized a girl born yesterday
about half past ten in the evening, of the lawful marriage of
Sieur Alexis La framboise and of madame Marie Josephte ad-
hemar, In the presence of the undersigned witnesses. * * *
ADIIEMAR St MARTIN
Alexis Laframboise; Guillaume La Mothe; bd. ad-
HEMAR.
July 26, 1796, I, the undersigned, supplied the holy cere-
monies to her [Angelique Vaillancourt]. The godfather waa
Sieur antoine reithe, trader,39 of St Louis; and the godmother
Mde angelique adhemar, who signed with us.
Levadoux, Vic. -general.40
A. EeITHE ; ANGELIQUE ADHEMAR.
July 27, 1796, we, the Undersigned, grand Vicar of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of baltimore, baptized Louis, about four
years old ; angelique, about nine years old ; genevieve, eighteen
months old, all children of Louis roi and of a Sauteux woman
savage. The godfather of louis was M. alexis laframboise ; and
the godmother Me louise dubois Solomon: the godfather of an-
gelique was M. francois laframboise ; and the godmother josephe
adhemar laframboise: the godfather of genevieve was M. jean
38 For the marriage of these persons see Ibid., p. 494.
39 The name is commonly spelled Reilhe. He was a resident of St.
Louis for many years; see III. Hist. Colls., ii, index. — Ed.
40 For this priest see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 498, note 33. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
rives ; and the godmother genevieve Blondeau adhemar, all of
whom Signed with us.
Levadoux, V. g.
Franqois Laframboise ; Alexis Laframboise ; Jean
Reeves ; A. Laframboise ; D. b. Solomon ; bd adhemae.
July 27, 1796, We, the Undersigned, grand Vicar of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of Baltimore, Baptized marie anne, natural
daughter of [blank in MS.] and of a woman Savage. The god-
father was francois Bouthiller ;41 and the godmother Me An-
gelique adhemar, who Signed with us.
Levadottx, V. g.
F. Bouthiller; Ag adhemar.
July 28, 1796, We, the Undersigned Vicar-general of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of Baltimore, Baptized alexandre Clark,
about Six years old, and julienne Clark, about four years old,
and supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to louise Clark, about
two years old, all born of jacques Clark and of a Sauteux wo-
man Savage. The godfather of Alexandre was Charles Mayet ;
and the godmother Sophie Solomon: the godfather of julienne
was Toussaint pothier; and the godmother angelique adhemar:
the godfather of louise was Guillaume la mothe; and the god-
mother Louise [Dubois Solomon] all of whom signed with us.
Levadoux, Vic-gen.
Guillaume La Mothe; Ch1" Maitte; James Clark; T,
Pothier; Sophie Solomon; Angelique Adhemar; D. Solo-
mon.
July 28, 1796, We, the Undersigned, vicar-general of Mon-
seigueur the bishop of baltimore, supplied the ceremonies of
Baptism to Sophie, natural daughter of Guillaume Solomon and
4i For this early Wisconsin resident, see Ibid., p. 463. — Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
of a Sauteux woman Savage. The godfather was elias petit;
and the godmother Ionise dubois who signed with us.
Levadoux, Vic. -gen.
D. Solomon; E. Petit.
July 28, 1796, We, the Undersigned, Vicar-general of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of Baltimore, supplied the ceremonies of
Baptism to rose,42 born of the lawful marriage of jean Baptiste
labor de and of Marguerite Chevalier. The godfather was
Gabriel Cerre ; and the godmother josephte adhemar.
Levadoux, Vic-gen.
Ad. Laframboise; Cerre.43
July 29, 1796, We, grand Vicar of Monseigneur the bishop
of Baltimore, supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to alexis,
about three years old; genevieve, about two years old; and
josephte, four and a half months old, all born of the lawful mar-
riage of alexis laframboise and josephe adhemar, already pri-
vately baptized after their birth As recorded in the present
register. The godfather of alexis was francois laframboise;
and the godmother genevieve adhemar: the godfather of gene-
vieve was joseph la framboise; and the godmother angelique ad-
hemar: the godfather of joseph was antoine adhemar; and the
godmother Ionise dubois, all of whom signed with us.
Levadoux, Vic. -gen.
Joseph Laframboise ; Francois La Framboise ; Ange-
lique Adhemar ; bd. adhemar ; Db Solomon ; adhemar St
martin.
42 Probably Rosalie Laborde, who became Mrs. John Dousman; Ibid.,
p. 512. About 1824 the family removed to Green Bay, where Mrs. Dous*
man was placed in charge of the Catholic school for Indian girls.
This school was removed to the Menominee reservation at Keshena,
and there for many years Mrs. Rosalie Dousman and her daughters
labored to instruct the Menominee children. The school was finally
broken up, between 1869 and 1871, and Mrs. Dousman died during
the interval. — Ed.
« Gabriel Cerre" was a prominent resident of the Illinois country;
see Ibid., p. 415, note 20. — Ed.
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i
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 29, 1796, We, the Under Signed, Vic. general of the
bishop of Baltimore, Supplied the ceremonies of Baptism Ac-
cording to the rite of the roman church to jean Baptiste, about
eight years old, and joseph about six, both children of alexis la-
framboise and of a Sauteux woman Savage. The godfather of
jean Baptiste was M. pierre isidore la Croix; and the god-
mother josephe adhemar: the godfather of joseph was patrice
adhemar; and the godmother Louise dubois. They were pri-
vately baptized, according to the evidence and in the presence
of their father, by Mr Campion. * * *
Levadoux, Vic. -gen.
Isidore Lacroix ; Alexis Laframboise ; Ad Laframboise ;
Patrice Adhemar; Sophia Solomon-.
Marie Madelaine, about three years old, natural daughter of
joseph courtois and of a Sauteux Savage mother, was baptized
by us August 1, 1796. The godfather was joseph laurant Ber-
trand ; and the godmother barbe felicite pilette, who signed with
us.
Levadoux, Vic. -gen.
Barbe felicite pillett ; Laurant Bertrand.
Magdaleine, about Seven years old, born of louis de bouriess
and of a Sauteux woman Savage, was by us, the Under Signed,
baptized August 1, 1796. The godfather was antoine brisbois;
and the godmother Magdelaine gautier who declared that she
could not Sign her name, on being thereunto requested.
Levadoux, Vic. -gen.
L. D BOURIECE ; ANTOINE BRISBOIS.
August 2, 1796, We the LTndersigned, Vic. -gen. of the bishop
of baltimore, supplied the ceremonies of baptism to a girl, about
two years old, born of the lawful marriage of nicolas frerot and
josephine Poitras, already privately baptized by Monsieur Ad-
hemar. The godfather was Nicolas Marchenaux ; and the god-
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1695-1821] Mackinac Baptisms
mother genevieve blondeau adhemar, who signed with us. I
.approve the addition.
Levadoux, Vie. -gen.
MARCHENAU; BD. ADHEMAR.
August 3, 1796, We the Under Signed, Vicar-general of
Monseigneur the bishop of baltimore, Supplied the ceremonies
of baptism to frangois regis, about two and a half years old, son
of an unknown father and of a woman Savage belonging to M.
Bourassa, already privately baptized by Mr Adhemar. The
•godfather was joseph laurent Bertrand; and the godmother
barbe felicite pillet, who signed with us. I approve the addi-
tion.
Levadoux, Vic. -gem
L. Bertrand; pillet Bertrand.
August 8, 1796, We the Under Signed, vicar-general of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of baltimore, administered baptism to fran-
-coise, about six years old, born of joseph lafortune and of a
'Sauteux woman Savage. The godfather was patrik adhemar;
and the godmother marianne Cowen, who Signed with us.
Levadoux, Vic-gen.
Patrice Adhemar ; Nancy Cowen.
August 8, 1796, We, the Undersigned vicar-general of Mon-
seigneur the bishop of baltimore, baptized Catherine, born of
antoine martin and of a Sauteux woman Savage. The god-
father was patrik adhemar; and the godmother marie anne
Cowen who signed with us.44
Patrice Adhemar ; Nancy Cowen.
44 The vicar -general's signature is lacking in the register. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
October 4, 1796, was privately baptized angelique, about
seventeen months old, natural daughter of hypolite Vaudette
and of a woman savage.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
August 8, 1797, I, the undersigned privately baptized a boy>
born on the third Instant of the lawful marriage of Joseph
Vaillancourt and of marie Elizabeth.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN.
October 18, 3 797, I, the Undersigned, privately baptized a
boy, about four years old, and a girl about sixteen or seventeen
months old, natural son and daughter of Sieur fr. La framboise*
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
November 7, 1797, T, the Undersigned, one of the justices of
the Peace of the United States, privately baptized a girl Savage,
of the Sauteux nation, called Inaououoiskamoquoy,45 about
seventeen years old, at Michilimakinac, on the day and in the
year above written. The Godfather was Mr alexis Lafram-
boise; and the godmother Madme Mitchell46 who declared that
she could not sign her name and made her mark. The god-
father signed with us.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
Alexis Laeramboise ; Mad™ Mitchell + her mark; F.
Bouthellier, witness ; G. E. Young; E. Moith; Dl. Bour-
ASSA.
November 19, 1797, I, the Undersigned, one of the justices
of the peace of the United States, privately baptized a girl, born
this day about two o'clock in the morning, of the lawful mar-
riage of Sieur Alexis Laframboise.
G. E. Young J. P.
« For her marriage to Michel La Bruyere, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii,
p. 500. — Ed.
46 For an account of Madame Mitchell, a prominent resident of early
Mackinac, see Id., xiv, pp. 35-38. — Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
September 2, 1798 I the Undersigned, one of the justices of
die peace, privately baptized a girl about a year old, daughter
of the female panis of Mr- D. Bourassa. * * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
June 30, 1799, jean baptiste, born October 16, 1797 of an
Outawas woman called Minanaconaton and of jean baptiste Des-
fonts, who acknowledged the child and signed with us, having
been privately baptized by Olivier — was solemnly baptized and
received the ceremonies of baptism from us the undersigned
priest.47 The godfather was Antoine Adhemar St martin, Jus-
tice of the peace ; and the godmother Genevieve Blondeau, who
signed with us.
Adhemar St martin.
bd adhemar; j bst defond.
July 7, 1799, the ceremonies of baptism were supplied to
josette,48 born on September 24, 1795 of joseph Laframboise
and of Madelaine, of the nation of the courtes oreilles. The
godfather was Isidore Lacroix; and the godmother josette Ad-
hemar, wife of Alexis Laframboise, who signed with us,
Gabkiel Richard, priest.
A. Laframboise; Joseph Laframboise; Isidore Lacroix.
July 7, 1799, the ceremonies of baptism were supplied by us,
the undersigned priest, to Marguerite, born November 8, 1797,
*7 The signature of the priest is lacking. The baptism was per-
formed by Father Gabriel Richard, who in 1799 visited the island;
see Id., xviii, p. 302, note 40— Ed.
48 The father of this child was killed in 1809 near Grand Rapids,
Mich. His wife continued his business of trading with the Indians,
in which she was very successful. She sent her daughter to Montreal
to be educated. Upon her return she met and married Capt. Ben-
jamin K. Pierce of the American garrison, brother of the future
president of the United States. The wedding occurred in 1817. The
bride dying four years later, was buried in the Mackinac church. See
Id., xiv, pp. 36-43.— Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
of the lawful marriage of Alexis Laframboise and of josette
Adhemar. The godfather was Claude Laframboise; and the
godmother Angelique Adhemar, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
ANGELIQUE ADHEMAR; ALEXIS LAFRAMBOISE J CLAUDE IiA-
FRAMBOISE.
July 8, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies of
baptism were supplied to josette — about five years old, born of
Joachim L'Agace and of Elizabeth, a Courte Oreille — privately
baptized by Antoine martin. The godfather was francois Bou-
thilier ; and the godmother Josette Adhemar, wife of Alexis La-
framboise, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
F. Bouthillier; A. Laframboise.
July 8, 1799 by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to Henri, born October 23, 1797, of
Guillaume Solomon and of Agibicocona of the Sauteux nation,
and privately baptized by Antoine Adhemar St. martin. The
godfather was Ezechiel Solomon; and the godmother Marie
anne Cowen, who signed with us as did also the father.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Guillaume Solomon; Ezek1 Solomon; Nancy Coun.
July 8, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies of
baptism were supplied to Marie Louise, born April 7, of the
same year of Guillaume Solomon and of Agibicocona, a Sauteux
woman, privately baptized by Louise Dubois. The godfather
was Joseph Baily;49 and the godmother Louise Dubois, wife of
Ezechiel Solomon, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
D. Solomon ; Jh Bailly.
*» For this Mackinac trader see Ibid., pp. 43-45. — Ed.
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Mackinac Baptisms
July 9, 1799; by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to marie judith, horn October 10,
3 790, of the lawful marriage of Daniel Bourassa and of Mar-
guerite Bertrand, residents of this parish of Ste Anne. The
Godfather was Joseph Bailly; aud the godmother Marie Anne
Cown, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Nancy Cown ; Jh Batlly.
July 9, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to joseph, born August 27, 1797, of
the lawful marriage of joseph Vaillancourt' and of Marie Eliza-
beth Bourgouin, residents of this parish. The godfather was
francois Bouthilier; and the godmother angelique adhemar,
who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
joseph vaillancour ; F. Bouthilier.
July 9, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies of
baptism were supplied to Nicolas, born August 20, of the previ-
ous year of the lawful marriage of Nicolas frereau and of
josette Poitras, residents of this parish. The godfather was
frangois Bouthilier; and the godmother Angelique Adhemar,
who signed with us, as did also the father.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Nicolas frereau ; angelique adhemar ; F. Bouthilier.
July 9, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to Leon, born October 9, of the previ-
ous year of the lawful marriage of Daniel Bourassa and of
Marguerite Bertrand, residents of this parish. The godfather
was Antoine Guillory, who signed with us; and the godmother
Marguerite Bourassa,50 sister of the child, who declared that
so For her marriage see Id., xviii, p. 511. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
she could not sign her name when thereunto requested. The
father signed with us.
Dl Bourassa; antoine Guillory.
July 9, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to jean baptiste, born December 27,
of the previous year of the lawful marriage of joseph Vaillan-
court and of Marie Elizabeth Bourgouin, residents of this
parish. The godfather was jean baptiste Gatien; and the god-
mother Archange Bourassa who declared that she could not
sign her name when thereunto requested. The father signed
with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
jn -gte Q.ATIEN. JOSEPH VAILLANCOURT.
July 9, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
marie Louise, born of a woman savage of the Sauteux nation
called manitowa and of an unknown father. The child is
about two years old. The godmother was Louise Dubois, wife
of Ezechiel Solomon, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
D. Solomon.
July 10, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
-conditionally Michel, born on September 6, 1787, of Michel
Cadot and of a Sauteux woman. The Godfather was Hubert
Lacroix; and the godmother Louise Dubois, wife of Ezechiel
•Solomon, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
D. Solomon; H. la Croix, fils.
July 10, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest was baptized
'conditionally Marguerite, born December 15, 1788, of Michel
Cadot and of a Sauteux woman. The Godfather was Nicolas
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1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
frereau; and the godmother Genevieve Blondeau, wife of An-
toine Adhemar, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Nicolas frereau ; bd adhemar.
July 14, 1799, hy us, the undersigned priest, was baptized
Louis, born December 29, of the previous year, of Antoine
Martin and of Kinicona, a Sauteux woman. The Godfather
was Jean Baptiste Gautier, who signed with us; and the God-
mother Marguerite Bourassa, who declared that she could not
sign her name when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
jn Bte Gautier.
July 26, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to Alexis, born May 23, 1797, of
Samuel Solomon and of Marie of the Sauteux nation. The
father, who was present, signed. The godfather was Alexis
Laframboise ; and the godmother Elizabeth Dubois, who signed
with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Du Solomon; Alexis Laframboise; Sam1 Solomon.
July 26, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of Baptism were supplied to joseph, born August 8, 1797, of
jacques Le Vassour and of Madelaine of the Courte Oreille
nation. The father was present and signed. The godfather
was Andre La Chene; and the godmother Susanne Hirebour,
who declared that they could not sign their names when there-
unto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Andre La Chene mark + ; Susanne Hirebour mark + ;
Jac. Vasseur.
Joseph Le Vasseur was legitimized and acknowledged by his
8 [ 113 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
father and mother on the day of their marriage before the
church August 5, 1799.5"1
Gabriel Richard, priest.
July 20, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of Baptism were supplied to Henry, born June 10, 1797, of the
lawful marriage of Patrice McGulpin and of Madeline Creque,
residents of this parish. The Godfather was Simon Cham-
pagne; and the godmother Marguerite Chevalier, who declared
that they could not sign their names. The father was present
and signed.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Patt. M :Gulpin ; mark of -{- Simon Champagne ; mark
of -f- Marguerite Chevalier.
July 28, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of Baptism were supplied to Elizabeth, born February 12,
1798, of the lawful marriage of Patrice McGulpin and of
Madeleine Creque, residents of this parish. The father was
present and signed with us. The Godfather was pierre La-
croix; and the godmother Marie McGulpin, wife of the afore-
said Pierre Lacroix,52 who declared that they could not sign
their names.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Patt. McGulpin ; mark of + Pierre Lacroix ; mark of +
Marie McGulpin.
July 28, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the ceremonies
of baptism were supplied to Giles, born April 7, of the same
year of the lawful marriage of Patrice McGulpin and of Made-
leine Creque, residents of this parish. The father was present
" See lUd., p. 503— Ed.
w Their v ^rriage had occurred on July 22, 1799; lUd., p. 502. — Ed.
[ H4 ]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
and signed with us. The godfather was jean baptiste Gautier;
and the godmother Marie anne Cowen. * * *
Gabriel Richard.
Patt. M : Gulpin ; Nancy Gown ; Jn Bte Gautier.
August 1, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of baptism were supplied to Catherine, born in May,
1792, of Louise, a Panis [slave] of Daniel Bourassa and of
an unknown father. The Godfather was Patrice Adhemar,
who signed with us; and the godmother Marguerite Chevalier,
wife of jean baptiste Laborde, who declared that she could not
sign her name.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Patrice adhemar; mark of + Marguerite Chevalier.
August 3, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of baptism were supplied to josette, born November 18,
1797, of the lawful marriage of Andre Charlebois and of
Josette Ammelain, residents of this Parish.53 The Godfather
was Alexis Laframboise, who signed with us. The godmother5*
declared that she could not sign her name, when thereunto re-
quested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Alexis Laframboise.
August 5, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, was solemnly
baptized Madeleine of the Outawas nation, about thirty years
old.5r' The godfather was Pierre Queri[sic], and the godmother
Genevieve Blondeau, wife of Antoine Adhemar, who signed
with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
P. thiery; bd adhemar.
53 See their marriage record, Ibid., p. 499. — Ed.
The godmother's name is not given in the original. — Ed.
56 Married the same day to Jacques Vasseur; Wis. Hist. Colls,,, xviil,
p. 503.— Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
August 11, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the cere>-
monies of Baptism were supplied to Marie, privately baptized
by Louis Carignan about the age of eight years when in danger
of death, born April 15, 1787, of Joseph Taillefer and of the
late Louise of the Sauteux nation. The father was present.
The Godfather was Augustin Hamelin; and the godmother
Angelique Adhemar, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
angelique adhemar; Augustin Hamelin.
August 11, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of baptism were supplied to Louise Taillefer, privately
baptized by Louis Carignan when about three months old, born
April 17, 1790, of Joseph Taillefer and of the late Louise of
the Sauteux nation. The father was present. The Godfather
was Patrice adhemar, who signed with us. The godmother was
Arehange Bourassa, who declared that she could not sign her
name when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Patrice adhemar; mark of + Archange Bourassa.
August 15, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of baptism were supplied to jacques, privately baptized
by Monsieur Cattillan a month after his birth, born January
'8, 1 799, of jacques Vasseur and of Madeleine, an Outawas
woman, his lawful wife. The father was present and signed.
The godfather was Alexis Laframboise; and the godmother
josette adhemar, his wife, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
jac vasseur; Alexis Laframboise; A. Laframboise.
August 15, 1799, by us, the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of Baptism were supplied to Louis, privately baptized
by Louis duquet, born June 15, 1790, of jacques Vasseur and
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1695-1821] Mackinac Baptisms
of Madeleine, an Outawas, his lawful wife. The Godfather
was Nicolas freraut; and the godmother josette Poitras, who
signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
NlCOL FREREAU; JaC VaSSEUR.
August 1'5, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of Baptism were supplied to Genevieve, privately bap-
tized by Laurent Bertrand, born July 2, 1792, of jacques Yas-
seur and of Madeleine, an Outawa, his lawful wife. The
father was present and signed with us. The godfather was
Antoine Adhemar St Martin; and the godmother Genevieve
Blondeau, his wife, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
JAC VaSSEUR ; BD. ADHEMAR ; ADHEMAR St MARTIN
August 18, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized
Jean Baptiste, ten years old, born of the late Charles Agacou-
chin of the potowatowmis nation, and of Marguerite of the
Outawas nation, the mother being present. The Godfather
was Michel La croix ; and the godmother marianne Cown, who
signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Nancy Cown ; M. Lacroix.
August 18, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, ihe cere-
monies of Baptism were supplied to Marie Anne,56 about nine
years old, privately baptized by jean Baptiste La Douceur, born
of Pierre La Saliere and of Therese of the Outawas nation,
married before witnesses at St Joseph, the mother being pres-
Marienne Lasaliere, daughter of Th6rese Marcot Lasaliere-Schin-
dler, became the wife of Henry Monroe Fisher of Prairie du Chien,
and mother of Mrs. Henry S. Baird, an early settler at Green Bay. — Ed.
[117]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
ent. The Godfather was jacques Giason; and the godmother
Angelique Adhemar, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
ANGELIQUE ADHEMAR ' J. GlASSON.
August 18, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, the cere-
monies of baptism were supplied to Louis joseph, fourteen
months old, privately baptized by Charles Chandonnet, born
of Louis of the Potowatowmis nation and of Marguerite of the
Outawas nation, the mother being present. The Godfather
was Jean Baptiste Le Moine ; and the godmother Josette Adhe-
mar, wife of Alexis Laframboise, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
J. Bte Limoine; A. Laframboise.
September 23, 1799, by us the undersigned priest, was bap-
tized Antoine of the nation of the Mandanes57 — in the service
of Charles Langlade, who signed with us — about twenty years
old. The Godfather was jacques Giasson; and the godmother
signed with usf * * *
Gabriel Richard.
A. Laframboise; Charles Langlade; J. Giasson.
January 19, 1800, by us the Undersigned, one of the jus-
tices of the peace of the United States, was privately baptized
Marie Louise of the Saulteux nation.58 The godfather was
Sieur f Catin; and the godmother Genevieve Plessey, wife of
Mr- Bourdon. The godmother signed with us in the presence
of the undersigned witnesses.
adehemar St martin J. P.
J. Giasson, witness; genevieve plaissee; Alexis Lafram-
boise, witness.
«7 For the Mandan Indians, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 450, note
72. This is probably the earliest recorded baptism of any of that na-
tion.— Ed.
m Married the same day to Louis Hamelin; Ibid., p. 503. — Ed.
[118]
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Mackinac Baptisms
March 21, 1800, by me the Under signed, was privately bap-
tized Marie, born yesterday evening of the lawful Marriage of
sieur alexis Laframboise and of Dame Joseph Adhemar, In
the presence of adhemar St martin and of the said Sieur La-
framboise, who signed with me. * * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN.
Alexis Laframboise ; J. Giasson.
April 20, 1S00, I, the undersigned, one of the justices of
the Peace of the United States privately baptized angelique,
an adult woman of the Sauteux nation.59 The Godfather was
Mr- jacques Giasson; and the godmother Mme- Mitchell, who
signed with us. * * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
J. Giasson ; Mad"16 Mitchell her mark +.
October 21', 1800, I the Undersigned, one of the justices of
the Peace, privately baptized Charles, son of Charles Maillet,
issue of his lawful Marriage with Elizabeth McDonald,60 born
this day about one o'clock in the afternoon. * * *
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P.
October 21, 1800, I the undersigned, one of the Justices of
the Peace of the United States, privately baptized a natural
daughter born of Mr# Wheley and of Genevieve McDonald.
* * * ADHEMAR St MARTIN, J. P.
October 11, 1801, I the undersigned, one of the justices of
the peace of the United States, privately baptized a boy, the
natural son of Simon Champagne and of a woman savage of
the Sehiouse nation, born yesterday about six o'clock in the
evening. * * * adhemar St martin J. P.
Became the wife of Jacques Chauvin; lbf4., p. 504. — Ed.
«o For their marriage entry see Ibid., p. 502. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
June 9, 1804, we the Undersigned Roman Catholic priest
and missionary, Baptized conditionally joseph, about five years
old, and born of jean Baptiste namand and of a woman Sav-
age called Marie. The father was present. The godfather
was joseph Letard ; and the godmother Louise Vasseur, who de-
clared that they could not sign their names, when thereunto
requested.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.61
June 12, 1804, we, the undersigned, supplied the ceremonies
of baptism to hubert Solomon — son of Guillaume Solomon"'2
and of a woman savage who are not married — born December
5, 1800, and privately baptized the same day. The godfather
was hubert Lacroix; and the godmother Louise Dubois. The
father being present, all of whom signed with us.
Dilhet, miss, priest.
William Solomons; J. H. Lacroix.
June 13, 1804, we, the undersigned, baptized conditionally,
joseph, born March 20, 1802, of joseph Gauthier dit Caron and
of Louise Vasseur, married according to the law of the state.63
The father who was present, was unable to sign his name. The
godfather was Patrice adhemar; and the godmother josephe
adhemar, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
P. ADHEMAR ; JoSEHPTE AdHEMAR LafRAMBOISE.
6i For a brief biography of this priest see Ibid., p. 506, note 43. — Ed.
«2 William Solomon was the son of Ezekiel, for whom see Ibid.,
p. 254, note 50. He afterwards married a daughter of John Johnston
of Sault Ste. Marie, by whom he had ten children. William Solomon
was government interpreter for the British during the War of 1812-15;
at its close he removed to Drummond Island, and thence in 1828
to Penetanguishene, Ontario. His youngest son Louis, was living at
the latter place in 1900. See Ontario Hist. Soc, Papers and Records,
iii, pp. 126-137 —Ed.
«s For their civil marriage, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 504;
July 1, 1804, they had the religious ceremony performed by Dilhet. — Ed.
[120]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
June 16, 1804, we the undersigned priest, miss7 at Michili-
nlakina, supplied the ceremonies of baptism to Marie Margue-
rite, daughter of Alexis Laframboise and of joseph adhemar,.
about five years old. She was privately baptized after her
birth. Her godfather was Gabriel Cote the younger; and the
godmother Marguerite adhemar, the mother being present;
who all signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Josette Adhemar; Gab. Cotte; Marguerite Adhemar.
On the same day and at the same time we, the undersigned,
Baptized according to the rite of the holy Roman Church,
Mathilde, born August 28, of the previous year of Benjamin
Lockwood and of Marianne Pelletier. The Godfather was
jacques Giasson ; and the godmother josephe adhemar, the father
and mother being present ; who signed with us.
J. Dilhet.
Marian Lockwood; B. Lockwood; J. Giasson.
June 17, 1804, we the undersigned priest, miss, at Michili-
makina, supplied the ceremonies of baptism to Marie, born
April 18, of the previous year of joseph Gautier dit Caron and
of Louise Vasseur, the father being present. The godfather
was pierre thyerri ; and the godmother Marie Angelique ad-
hemar, who signed with us.
Dilhet, miss, priest.
P. titierry; Marguerite Adhemar.
June 17, 1804, we, the Undersigned priest, miss, at Michili-
makina, supplied the ceremonies of baptism to Agathe, born
May lfi, 1802 of Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand,
married, the father and mother being present. The godfather
was Augustin hamelin ; and the godmother Agathe Dubois, wha
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, priest.
D. Solomon ; Dl. Bourassa ; Augt hamelin.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
June 17, 1804, we the undersigned, at Mikilimakina, bap-
tized conditionally Charles Michel, born October 10, 1801, of
Simon Champagne and of a woman savage. The father was
present. The godfather was Charles marley; and the god-
mother josephe Vaillancour, who signed or declared that they
could not sign their names.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
On the same day and in the same year, 1804, we, the under-
signed, Baptized conditionally Marguerite Louise, born Octo-
ber 6, 1803, of Simon Champagne and of a woman savage.
The father was present. The godfather was pierre Lacroix;
and the godmother Louise Vasseur, who declared that they
-could not sign their names.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
June 17, 1804, we, the undersigned, baptized conditionally
Jean Baptiste,64 four years oid, born of Jean Baptiste Laborde
dit Sangrais [Sans Regret] and of marguerite machard. The
father and mother were present. The godfather was jean bap-
tiste Toussaint pothier; and the godmother angelique adhemar
who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
T. Pothier ; angelique Adhemar ; J. Bte la Borde.
On the same day, in the same year and at the same hour, we,
the Undersigned, Baptized conditionally, Elizabeth, three years
old on June 4, born of jean Baptiste Laborde Sangrais and of
Marguerite Machard, both present. The godfather was Mon-
sieur hubert Lacroix; and the godmother Louise Dubois, who
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
J. IT. Lacroix ; D. Solomon ; J. B1 la Borde.
«4 Jean Baptiste Laborde afterwards became a resident of Green
Bay, where he had a farm on the southwest side of Fox River. — Ed.
[122]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
On the same day and in the same year, we, the Undersigned,
Baptized Catherine, born on May 12 previous, of jean Bap-
tiste Laborde Sangrais and of Marguerite Machard, both pres-
ent. The godfather was Antoine Dupres; and the godmother
magdaleine mongolpine, who signed or declared that they could
not sign their names.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Antoine Dtjpre; J. Bte la Borde.
June 19, 1804, we the undersigned, parish priest and miss,
at Michilimakina, baptized conditionally pierre, bom February
10, 1802, of pierre La Croix and of Marie Mongolpine, mar-
ried.6"' The father and mother were present. The godfather
was Andre La Chaine; and the godmother, josephe Vaillan-
'court, who declared that they could not sign their names when
thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest
On the same day, in the same year and at the same hour, we
the undersigned priest at Michilimakina, baptized conditionally
Andre, born November 28, 1803, of pierre La Croix and of
Marie Mongolpine, married. The father and mother were
present. The godfather was pierre thieri ; and the godmother,
josephe adhemar who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
P. THIERRY; JOSETTE AdHEMAR.
On the same day and in the same year, 1804, we, the under-
signed priest, missionary at Michilimakina, baptized condi-
tionally, Magdelaine, born April 16, 1800, of pierre Lacroix
and of Marie Mongolpine, married. The father and mother
were present. The godfather was Isidore Lacroix; and the
45 For their marriage record, see Wis. Hist. CoTls., xviii, p. 502. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections tvoi. xix
godmother Magdaleine Mongolpine, who signed or declared
that they could not sign, when thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
ISLDOBE LACROIX.
June 20, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
Michilimakina, Baptized According to the rite of the holy
Boman Church our mother, jacques, about seven years old,
born of joseph Mercier and of a Sioux woman. The godfather
was jacques giasson; and the godmother Marguerite Adhemar,
the father being present; who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
J. Giasson; Marguerite Adhemar; Joseph Mercier.
On the same day, and in the same year, we, the undersigned
missionary priest, baptized According to the rite of the holy
Roman Church our mother, marie angelique, about five years
old, born of joseph mercier and of a Sioux woman. The
father was present. The godfather was Etienne Lamorandiere ;
and the godmother marie angelique adhemar, who signed with
us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Etienne Lamorandiere; angelique adhemar; Joseph
Mercier.
June 20, 1804, We, the Undersigned parish priest and mis-
sionary at Michilimakina, baptized conditionally Jean Bap-
tiste, born March 15, 1803, of Louis Chevalier and of a Sau-
teux woman. The father was present. The godfather was
isidore Lacroix; and the godmother Marguerite Bourassa, who
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
Marguerite Borassa; Isidore lacroix.
[ 124 J
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
On the same day and in the same year, we, the Undersigned,
baptized, Archange, born May 15, 1800, of Louis Chevalier and
of a Sauteux woman. Her father was present. The god-
father was jean Baptiste Le Moine ; and the godmother Archange
Bourassa, all of whom signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Archange Bourassa; J. Bte Lamoine.
June 23, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
Michilimakina, supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to Alex-
andre, fifteen years old, privately baptized two years ago, born
•of pierre Laurent and of a woman Savage. The father was
present. The godfather was Noel Rocheblave; and the god-
mother Marguerite Adhemar, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
1ST. Rocheblave;66 Marguerite Adhemar.
June 24, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized conditionally Michel, about six years
old, born of michel Detrainville and of a woman Savage. The
father was present. The godfather was Patrice adhemar; and
the godmother Louise Dubois, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
P. Adhemar; D. Solomon.
On the same day, and in the same year, we the Undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, Baptized conditionally
julie Nadau, about six years old, born of Rene ISTadau and of
a woman Savage. The father was present. The godfather
was andre Lachaine; and the godmother Louise Dubois, who
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
RENE NADEAU J Du SOLOMON.
«6 On this trader see Ibid., p. 462, note 84. — Ed.
[125]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix.
On the same day and in the same year, we the Undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, baptized according to the-
rite of the Holy Roman Church onr mother, joseph Numain-
ville, born the day before yesterday of jean Baptiste ISTumain-
ville and of a woman Savage. The father was present. The
godfather was joseph Ricard ; and the godmother Marie taille-
fer, who declared that they could not sign their names when
thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, Baptized according to the
rite of the Holy Roman Church our mother, Marie, about four
years old, born of jean Baptiste numainville and of a Woman
Savage. The father was present. The godfather was fran-
cois Laventure; and the godmother Marie mongolpin, who de-
clared that they could not sign their names when thereunto*
requested.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest,
June 29, 1804, we the undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized conditionally Paul, born on January
16 previous of jacques jauvan and of angelique Roi.67 The
father was present. The godfather was pierre Lacroix; and
the godmother genevieve Blondeau, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
AD BLONDEAU ADHEMAR.
June 29, 1804, we the undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized Conditionally magdeleine, born on-
April 1, 1802, of jacques jauvan and of Angelique Roi. The
father was present The godfather was joseph Couzineau;
and the godmother Josephe Vaillancourt, who declared that
they could not sign their names when thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
« They were later married by the same priest; IMd., p. 508. — Ed.
[ 126 ]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, Baptized Conditionally
marguerite,68 born on December 26, 1802. The godfather was
Ezechiel Solomon; and the godmother Louise Dubois, who
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
Ezechiel Solomon Jr. ; D. Solomon.
June 30, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized Conditionally Charles, born August
10, 1802, of Antoine martin and of a Sauteux woman. The
father was present. The godfather was Pierre Gausselin ; and
the godmother Magdelaine mongolpine, who declared that they
could not sign their names when thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
July 7, 1804, we the undersigned priest, missionary at
Michilimakina, Baptized Conditionally Angelique Roi, twenty
years old, daughter of joseph Roi and of Marguerite, a folle
avoine.69 The godfather was hubert Lacroix; and the god-
mother Louise Dubois, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
H. Lacroix; D. Solomon.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
missionary priest, Baptized Conditionally Charlotte Roi, nine-
teen years old, daughter of joseph Roi and of Marguerite, a
es On the margin is written "Marguerite Solomon," which is a
probable indication of the identity of this person. — Ed.
69 This was a well-known Green Bay family, the father Joseph Roy
having settled there before 1785. He was still living in 1818, and by
his marriage with the Menominee woman Marguerite had two sons
and four daughters. One son, Francois, settled at the Pox-Wisconsin
portage, and became well-known to early Wisconsin travellers. This
daughter Angelique was married nine days later to Jacques Jauvan;
see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 508. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
folle avoine. The godfather was jean Coursol; and the god-
mother Louise Dubois, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
jean Coubsoll; D. Solomon.
July 8, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
Michilimakina, Supplied the ceremonies of baptism to ignace
dhichet, privately baptized a year ago, eight years old, and born
of jacques plomondone and of a woman Savage. The god-
father was Charles Chadonnet ; and the godmother Mariane la
Valiere [Saliere]. The adopted father was present. They
signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
C. Chandonnett; Ignace Chichett.
July 9, 1804, we, the undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakinac, Baptized Conditionally Elizabeth, eight years
old, born of George Cowens and of Marianne Kinonehamut,
an outaouais. The father was present. The godfather was
jacques portier [Porlier] ;70 and the godmother Angelique Ad-
hemar, all of whom signed with us.
J. Dilhet, missionary priest.
Jcq. portiere; Geo. Cown.
On the same day and in the same year, we, the undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, supplied the Ceremonies
of Baptism to Marie, two years old, born of augustin Bonne-
terre and of a woman Savage. The father was present. The
godfather was Patrice adhemar; and the godmother Marianne
Cowen, who signed with us.
j. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Ann. Cown; P. adhemar; William J. Pichet.
to For this well-known resident of early Wisconsin see Ibid.,
p. 462, and his letters, post. — Ed.
[128]
1695-1821 l
Mackinac Baptisms
On the same day and in the same year, we, the undersigned,
Baptized julie, born thirteen days ago of augustin Bonneterre
and of a woman Savage. The father was present. The god-
father was jean Baptiste Barthelot; and the godmother josephe
adhemar, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Josette Adhemar; J. Be- Berthelot ; Piere lacrox; J.
PlCHET.
July 14, 1804, we the Undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized Marguerite Kodeckoi (le soleil)
daughter of manitou Koursseur of the Sauteux nation, who was
sufficiently instructed and preparing to he married, according
to the rite of the Church, to jean Baptiste Bertrand.71 The
godfather was Charles Chandonnet ; and' the godmother josephe
adhemar, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
Josette Adhemar; C. Cha^donnette ; Jean Baptists
Bertrand.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, Baptized Conditionally
Marie Angelique gravelle,72 seventeen years old, daughter of
joseph gravelle, deceased, and of josette Saint Raisin. The
godfather was Charles Chandonnet; and the godmother Marie
Angelique Adhemar, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
ANGELIQUE ADHEMAR J C. ChANDONNETT.
July 14, 1804, we, the undersigned priest at michilimakina,
Baptized conditionally Marie Archange, fifteen months old,
daughter of francois grignon73 and of Marie Angelique gravelle.
71 Their marriage record is found in Ibid., p. 510. — Ed.
72 Married two days later to Frangois Grignon, Ibid., p. 509. — Ed.
73 Not of the Grignon family of Green Bay; probably a nephew of
the elder Pierre Grignon. — Ed.
9 [129]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
The godfather was jean Baptiste maranda ; and the godmother
Charlotte Roi, who signed with us.
J. Dilket, miss, priest.
B. Maranda.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
priest, missionary at michilimakina, Baptized conditionally
Charlotte, about three years old, born of Noel Rocheblave and
of an otawas woman. The godfather was pierre thierry; and
the godmother Anne Cowen, who signed with us.
J. DlLHET.
Anne Cown; Thierry.
July 10, 1804, we, the undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized conditionally Thomas, son of Stephen
Hogan and of josette hamelin, about three years old. The
godfather was michel Lacroix ; and the godmother anne Cowen,
who signed with us.
J. Diehet, miss, priest.
M. Lacroix ; ISTancy Cown.
On the same day and in the same year, we, the undersigned
priest, missionary at mikilimakina supplied the ceremonies of
Baptism to josette,74 about forty years old, daughter of an un-
known father and mother. The godfather was Noel Roche-
blave ; and the godmother josette adhemar, who signed with us.
J. DlLHET.
josette Adhemar; N. Rocheblave.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
missionary priest, Baptized Louis, four months and a half old,
born of isidore Lacroix and of a woman savage. The godfather
74 probably the mother of Marie Taillefer, married June 30, 1804;
Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 506— Ed.
[130]
1695-1821 |
Mackinac Baptisms
was michel Lacroix; and the godmother marianne La Saliere,
who signed with ns.
J. Dilhet, miss, priest.
M. Lacroix.
July 16, 1804, we the undersigned priest, missionary at
michilimakina, Baptized francois, about three years old, of an
unknown father and of a woman Savage. The godfather was
jean Baptiste Le moine; and the godmother magdelene maicul-
pin.
J. Dilhet, priest.
J. Be Lemoine.
On the same day and in the same year we, the undersigned
priest, Baptized according to the rite of the Holy Roman
Church our mother, jean Baptiste, son of Letourneau, son of
kiminoucam (La pluie) and of ouassimigueso (La porcelaine
claire) an Otawais woman, about twenty years old, sufficiently
instructed. The godfather was Jean Baptiste Bertrand; and
the godmother Louise Vasseur, who signed with us.
J. Dilhet, priest.
Jean Baptis Bertrand.
July 18, 1804, we the undersigned priest, missionary at
miehiiiniakma, supplied the ceremonies of Baptism to Marie
angelique Vaudet, eight years old, born of hyppolite Vaudet
and of a Sauteux woman. The godfather was pierre jolifour;
and the godmother Marie maiculpin who declared that they
could not sign their names when thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, priest.
On the same day and in the same year, we the undersigned
priest at michilimakina, baptized conditionally andre, two
years old, born of jacques vasseur and of madeleine ouiouiskoin
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
{vessie), married.75 The father was present. The godfather
was Francois grignon; and the godmother angelique Koi, who
signed with us or declared that thej could not sign their names
when thereunto requested.
J. Dilhet, priest.
•JAC VASSEUER.
On the same day and in the same year, we, the undersigned
missionary priest, Baptized conditionally jean Baptiste, three
years old, born of jacques vaisseur and of Magdeleine ouiouis-
koin, married. The father was present. The godfather was
joseph Caron; and the godmother Louise vasseur, who signed
or declared that they could riot sign their names when there-
unto requested.
J. Dilhet, priest.
.JAC VASSEUER.
Marie Mcculpin, born November 2, 1819, of Guillaume Mc
Oulpin and of Madelene Bourassa, married by the justice of
the peace,70 was Baptized conditionally by us the undersigned,
parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, on August 4, 1821'.77 The
father and mother were present. The godfather was Alexandre
^Bourassa; and the godmother Marie Judith Bourassa, who
signed with us.
Gabriel Eichard, parish priest of Ste Anne.
Alexandre Bourassa; marie Bourassa.
75 For their marriage see Ibid., p. 503. Andre was younger than the
children there legitimized. The Vasseur family removed to Drummond
Island, and later to Penetanguishene. Andrew was a land-owner at the
latter place, and died at Bruce Mines. See Ontario Historical Society
Papers, iii, p. 165. — Ed.
76 Their religious marriage occurred a few days later; Wis. Hist,
dolls., xviii, p. 512. The names and dates of the births of the children
do not correspond with this baptismal register. — Ed.
77 No baptisms are entered in the register between 1804 and 1821,
possibly because no priest visited the island in that long interval;
although the entry in Ibid., p. 512, would indicate the presence of a
priest at Mackinac in 1818. — Ed.
[ 132 ]
1695-1821 1
Mackinac Baptisms
Ursule M°culpin, born April 4, 1821, of Guillaume Mc Cul~
pin and of Magdelene Bourassa, married by the justice of the-
peace, was baptized by us the undersigned, parish priest of St#'
Anne, August 4. of the same year. The godfather was Eloy
Bourassa ; and the godmother Marie, Ins wife, who declared
that she could not sign her name.
Gabriel Richard, parish priest of Ste Anne.
Marie Bourassa, born April 30, 1821, of the lawful marriage
of Eloy Bourassa and of Marie Atten, was baptized by us, the
undersigned priest, August 4 of the same year. The god-
father was Antoine Dequindre; and the godmother Archange
Bourassa.
Gabriel Richard, parish priest of Ste Anne.
Antoine Dequindre.
Eusebe Bourassa, born September 3, 1819, of Eloy Bourassa
aud of a woman Savage, was Baptized conditionally by us the
undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, on August 4,
1821. The father was present and signed with us as did also
the godfather Antoine Dequindre ; and the godmother Archange
Bourassa.
Gabriel Richard, parish priest of Ste Anne.
Antoine Dequindre; Archange Bourassa.
Therese Bourassa, born March 26, 1805, of the lawful mar-
riage of Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, was Bap-
tized conditionally by us the undersigned, parish priest of Ste
Anne du Detroit, on August 4, 1821, the mother being present.
The godfather was Antoine Dequindre, who signed with us;
and the godmother Madeleine la framboise who declared that
she could not sign her name.
Gabriel Richard; parish priest.
Antoine Dequindre.
Amable Bourassa, born on May 20, vr809, of the lawful mar-
riage of Daniel Bourassa and of Marguerite Bertrand, was Bap-
[133]
r
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
tized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Su
Anne du Detroit, August 4, 1821, the mother being present
The godfather was Alexandre Bourassa, who signed with us;
and the godmother Therese Bourassa, the sister of the Baptized
hoy who declared that she could not sign her name.
Gabriel Bichard, parish priest of Ste Anne.
Alexandre Bourassa.
LucJle Tannor, born July 17, 1820, of John Tannor78 and of
a woman savage, was Baptized conditionally by us the under-
signed, parish Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 4, 1821.
The godfather was Etienne Dubois; and the godmother Marie
Anne Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Marianne Fisher.
Louis Carbon eau, born April 13, 1814, of Louis Carboneau
dit Provencal79 and of a woman Savage of the Sioux nation,
78 John Tanner, known as the "white Indian," was captured at his
father's home in Kentucky by Saginaw Chippewa when a boy of nine
years of age. Later he lived on Red River of the North, and after
nearly thirty years of absence returned to American settlements to
visit his white kindred, bringing with him to civilization his half-
breed children. He reached Mackinac in 1820, and persuaded Madame
George Schindler to adopt his infant child Lucy, or Lucille, into her
own family. She was at first privately baptized — see Wis. Hist. Colls.,
xiv, p. 52 — and next year by the priest. She was finally drowned by
the foundering of a schooner in Lake Michigan. After two or three
years among the settlements, her father returned to Sault Ste. Marie,
where he was employed as interpreter until his disappearance in
1846. He was accused of the murder of James Schoolcraft, but the
later confession of an army officer proved Tanner's innocence of this
crime. Tanner's case attracted much attention and his life was written
by Edwin James, Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John
Tanner (New York, 1830). A good recent sketch of his life and char-
acter is found in Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xxii, pp. 246-254. — Ed.
7» One of this family was an early inhabitant of Green Bay; Wis.
Hist. Colls., ix, 241, 242, 259; x, 138, 139.— Ed.
[134]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
was Baptized conditionally by us the undersigned, parish priest
of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 4, 1821. The godfather was
Etienne Dubois; and the godmother Marie Anne fisher, who
signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Mary A. Fisher.
Antoine Carboneau, born December 12, 1816, of Louis Car-
boneau dit Provencal and of a woman Savage of the Sioux na-
tion, was Baptized conditionally by us the undersigned, parish
Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 4, 1821'. The god-
father was Etienne Dubois; and the godmother Marie Anne
Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Mary A. Fisher.
Archange Carboneau, born October 21), 1818, of Louis Car-
boneau dit Provengal and of a woman Savage of the Sioux na-
tion, was Baptized conditionally by us the undersigned, parish
Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 4, 1821, the father being
present. The godfather was Etienne Dubois; and the god-
mother Mary Anne Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Mary A. Fisher.
Joseph Carboneau, born December 22, 1819, of Louis Car-
boneau dit Provengal and of a woman Savage of the Sioux na-
tion, was Baptized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish
Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, on August 4, 1821, the father
being present. The godfather was Etienne Dubois; and the
godmother Marie Anne Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Mary A. Fisher.
Hariette, born April 26, 1820, of Marie Vaillancourt, known
under the name of Madame Steven Hogan (dead or absent)80
so For this marriage see Id., xviii, p. 505. — Ed.
[135]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
and of an unknown father, was Baptized conditionally by us,
the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6,
1821. The godfather was Clement Hudon ; and the godmother
Marguerite Basile, wife of Fr. Albert, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, parish priest.
Marrett Basile; franqois Albert.
Alexandre Fraser, born January 22, 1820, of Alexandre
Fraser81 and of Ursul leblanc who say they were married by
Messire Cerinaud, parish priest of Kingston in Upper Canada,
was Baptized conditionally by us, parish priest of Ste Anne du
Detroit, undersigned, August 6, 182,1', the father and mother
being present. The godfather was Joseph Gueret, who de-
clared that he could not sign his name when thereunto re-
quested ; and the godmother Marie Anne fisher who signed with
us.
Gabriel Richard, priest
Mary Anne Fisher.
Marie Bourassa, born May 22, 1821, of Dominique Rousseau
and of Marguerite Cham/pagne, privately baptized by Etienne
Dubois, received the solemn ceremonies of Baptism from us, the
undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6,
1821, the father and mother being present. The godfather was
francois Albert ; and the godmother Marguerite Basil who
signed.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Margueritte Basille; franqois Albert.
Sophie Rousseau, born April, 1821, of Dominique Rousseau
and of a woman Savage, was Baptized by us, the undersigned
8i Alexander Fraser, serving as a clerk in the North West Company,
was on the Columbia in 1814, and with Semple at Red River in 1816.
He probably was a relative of Simon Fraser, discoverer of the river
bearing his name, whose home was in the neighborhood of Kingston.
Alexander Fraser ie said to have been killed in a quarrel in 1829, at
Paris. — Ed.
[136]
1696-1821] Mackinac Baptisms
parish priest of Slc Anne du Detroit, on August 6, of the same
year, the father and mother being present. The godfather was
Charles Rousseau; and the godmother Marie Anne Fisher, who
signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Marie Anne Fisher; Charles Rousseau.
Joseph Louson, born June 10, 1820, of Joseph Louson and
of Nancy Pilot, very probably not baptized and married by the
civil magistrate, was baptized conditionally by us the under-
signed parish Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, the father and
mother being present. The godfather was Francois Albert;
and the godmother Marguerite Basile, his wife, who signed with
• us, August 6, 1821.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Margueritte Basille ; franqois Albert.
Isabelle Nicole, born November 17, 1820, of Jean Nicole
and of Marguerite Beaubin, not baptized and married by the
civil magistrate, was Baptized conditionally by us, the under-
signed parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6, 182,1,
the father and mother being present. The godfather was fran-
cois Albert ; and the godmother Marguerite Basile, his Wife,
who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Marette Basille ; francois Albert.
Marie Anne Cowen, born May 22, 1815, of Pierre Cowen
and of an Outawa woman, was Baptized conditionally by us,
the undersigned parish Priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August
6, 1821, the father and mother being present. The godfather
was Dominique Rousseau ; and the godmother Marie Anne
Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Dominique Rousseau.
[137]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Am ne Co wen, born January 28, 1820, of pierre Cowen and
of an Outawa woman, was Baptized by us, the undersigned
parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6, 1821, the father
and mother being present. The godfather was joseph de-
champs who declared that he could not sign his name when
thereunto requested; and the godmother Agathe Gotrie who
signed with us
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Agathe Gattris.
Amable Cowen, born August 6, 1820, of Pierre Cowen and
of an Outawa woman, was baptized conditionally by us, the un-
dersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6, 1821.
The godfather was Amable Turpin ; and the godmother Ursule
Leblanc who declared that they could not sign their names.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Julie Mata, born March 3, 1819, of Maurice Mata and of
Jeane Die, married by the civil judge, was baptized condition-
ally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du De-
troit, August 6, 1821, the father and mother being present.
The godfather was Jean W. Fillon; and the godmother Ursule
Leblanc, wife of Alexandre fraser who declared that they could
not sign their names when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Josephete Bertrand, born July 2, 1819, of the lawful mar-
riage of Jean B. Bertrand and of Marguerite Ouigouisence,
was baptized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest
of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6, 1821, the father and mother
being present. The godfather was Alexandre Bourassa, who
signed with us; and the godmother Therese Bourassa who de-
clared that she could not sign when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Alexandre Bourassa.
[138]
1695-18211
Mackinac Baptisms
Joseph Philippe Christy, born June 5, 1821, of Philippe
Christy and of Juli Moses, married by the minister of the An-
glican Church, was Baptized conditionally by us, the under-
signed parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 6, of the
same year. The father and mother were present. The god-
father was Joseph Lemoine, who signed with us; and the god-
mother Charlotte parant, wife of Antoine La Branche who de-
clared that she could not sign her name when thereunto re-
quested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Joseph Lemoine.
Elisabeth Therese Fisher,82 born April 24, 1810, of Henri
Monroe Fisher83 and of Marie Anne Lasalliere, married by the
civil judge, privately baptized by Jean Marie Auger, received
the solemn ceremonies of Baptism from us, the undersigned
82 She became Mrs. Henry S. Baird, one of the early settlers of
Green Bay. For her reminiscences of early life at Mackinac, see Wis.
Hist. Colls., xiv, pp. 17-64. — Ed.
83 Henry Monroe Fisher was born of Scotch parentage, somewhere
near Lake Champlain, probably upon the Canadian border, although
often spoken of as an American. He was educated at Montreal, where
he became acquainted with the Todds, and early embarked in the fur-
trade, coming West about 1790. At first employed by the North West
Company, he later set up an independent trade with headquarters at
Prairie du Chien. There he prospered, and upon the organization
of Indiana Territory was appointed Aug. 19, 1802, a captain of militia,
and on Nov. 26, 1803, as justice of the peace. Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike,
on his visit to Prairie du Chien in 1805, speaks in terms of praise of
Fisher's ability and hospitality. In 1809 Fisher married for his second
wife Marienne Lasaliere of Mackinac. When their daughter, whose
baptism is here recorded, was two years old, Mrs. Fisher returned
to Mackinac for a visit; but the War of 1812-15 breaking out,
Fisher was unwilling to take part against the Americans, so he retired
to the Red River country and entered the Hudson Bay Company, not
returning to Prairie du Chien for over ten years. In 1827 he died
at this place, from the effects of fever. He was a man of great
physical strength and comeliness, and acquired a powerful influence
over the Indians. — Ed.
[139]
Wisconsin Historical Collections lvoi. xix
parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 9, 1821, the
mother being present. The godfather was Joseph Rollet ;84 and
the godmother Madeline la framboise, who declared that she
could not sign her name when thereunto requested. The god-
father signed and so did the person Baptized.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Elizabeth Tharesa Fisher ; Joseph Rolette.
Marguerite Choret, born April 16, 1805, of Simon Choret
and of Marguerite, an Otchipwas woman, was Baptized condi-
tionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du
Detroit, August 9, T821. The godfather was Etienne Dubois;
and the godmother Mary Anne Eisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Etienne Dubois; Mary Anne Eisher.
Josephte Choret, born March 18, 1807, of Simon Choret and
of Marguerite, an Otchipwas woman, was Baptized condition-
ally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du De-
troit, August 9, 1821. The godfather was Etienne Dubois;
and the godmother Marie Anne Eisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Etienne Dubois; Mary Anne Fisher.
84 Joseph Rolette was the most prominent citizen of Prairie du Chien.
Born in Canada in 1781, he was educated for the priesthood but pre-
ferred the Indian trade. He came to Prairie du Chien about 1806,
where he was at first agent for Murdock Cameron. During the War
of 1812-15, he sided with the British, assisting at the capture of
Mackinac in 1812, and that of Fort Shelby in 1814. With the return
of the Americans, Rolette found himself, because of his pro-British
activity, out of favor with the officers at Fort Crawford, but was re-
instated through the efforts of John C. Calhoun. Afterwards (1823),
he became a naturalized American citizen. He had large business in-
terests and was quite progressive, being a partner in the first saw-
milling enterprise in western Wisconsin. Rolette had in 1819 married
a half-sister of Elizabeth Th6rese Fisher. Mrs. Baird speaks of him
as her godfather in Wis. Hist. Colls., xv. pp, 219, 220. He died at
Prairie du Chien in 1842. — Ed.
[ 140 ]
1605-18211
Mackinac Baptisms
Sophie Bailly, born March [ blank in MS.], 1807, o£ Joseph
Bailly and of Angelique McGulpin, was Baptized conditionally
by us, the undersigned priest, August 9, 1821. The godfather
was Eloy Bourassa ; and the godmother Marie Judith Bourassa,
who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
marie Judith Bourassa ; E. Bourassa.
Marie Beaubien, born March 22, 1821, of Charles Beaubien
•and of Marie, an Otchipwas woman, privately baptized by Jose-
phine Lagace,8r' received the solemn ceremonies of Baptism
through us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du De-
troit, August 9, 1821. The godmother was Ursule Leblanc,
Wife of Alexandre Eraser who declared she could not sign her
name when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Ch. Beaubien; Francois Paget.86
Josephte Chevalier, born September 8, 1807, of Louis Pas-
cal Chevalier and of Josephte, an Otchipwas woman, privately
"baptized by Jean B. Laborde, received the solemn ceremonies of
Baptism through us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne
du Detroit, August 10, 1821, the father being present. The
godfather was Leon Bourassa who signed with us ; and the god-
mother Archange Bourassa who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Leon Bourassa; Archange Bourassa.
85 Josephine (Josephette) Legace was an important person in both
the Mackinac and Drummond Island settlements. She was tall and of
commanding presence, and an accomplished violinist, much in de-
mand for her music at all balls and parties. She married Louis
Deschenaux and removed to Penetanguishene; see Ontario Hist. Soc.
Papers, iii, p. 159. — Ed.
86 The godfather's name is omitted in the record; probably this is
his signature. — Ed.
[141]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Elizabeth Vaillancourt, born December 27, 1808, of the law-
ful marriage of Joseph Vaillancourt and of Marie Bourgouin,,
privately baptized by Andre la chene, received the solemn cere-
monies of Baptism through us, the undersigned parish priest of
Ste Anne du Detroit, August 10, 1821. The father was pres-
ent and signed with us. The godfather was Etienne Dubois,
who signed with us; and the godmother Marie Isabelle Hogan
who declared that she could not sign her name when thereunto
requested.
Gabriel Kichard, priest.
JOSEFH VAIXJL AN COURT ; ETIENNE DUBOIS.
Marie Judith Lusignan, born May 15, 1811, of Francois
Lusignan and of Agathe Langlade87 who say they were married;
before two witnesses at Green Bay, privately baptized by
Charley Keaume,8s received the solemn ceremonies of Baptism
«7 Apparently the daughter of Charles Langlade junior. His grand-
daughter Angelique said that one of her grandfather's daughters mar-
ried and lived at Mackinac. Consult Ontario Hist. Soc. Papers, iii,.
p. 148— En.
Charles Reaume, the well-known Green Bay justice of the peace,
was born in La Prairie, opposite Montreal, and after receiving some
education embarked in the fur-trade. In this he was unsuccessful,
and sought the upper country to recoup his losses. He came to Green
Bay in 1792, and the following winter traded on St. Croix River.
Later he setted at Green Bay, and had a good farm on what was
later known as Dutchman's Creek. An Illinois acquaintance recom-
mended Reaume to Governor Harrison of Indiana Territory, as a
proper person to be appointed justice of the peace in the French set-
tlement at Green Bay, whereupon a commission to that effect was
drawn Nov. 26, 1803. Acting on that commission, Reaume was the
sole representative of civil authority at Green Bay until 1818, when
he was commissioned associate justice by Governor Cass. Many amus-
ing stories were told of Reaume's methods and eccentricities. His-
only knowledge of lav/ appears to have been drawn from the single
volume of Blackstone that constituted his library; but as he could
scarcely read English, his decisions were based on the customs of
the country. As magistrate he likewise officiated at all weddings
[142]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
through us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du De-
troit, August 10, 1821, the father being present. The god-
father was William McGulpin who signed with us; and the
godmother Marie Judith Bonrassa who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Wtl. Guxpin ; Marie Judith Bourassa.
Pierre Lusignan, born July 2, 1808, of Francois Lusignan
and of Agathe Langlade who say they were married before two
witnesses at Green Bay, privately baptized by Charley Beaume,
received the solemn ceremonies of Baptism through us, the un-
dersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 10,
1821, the father being present. The godfather was Etienne
Dubois ; and the godmother Marie Anne Fisher, who signed
with us.
Gabriel Bichard, priest.
Etienne Dubois; Marianna Fisher.
Charles Marly, born November 0, 1805, of the lawful mar-
riage of Charles Marly and of Josephte Vaillancourt,89 re-
ceived the solemn ceremonies of Baptism through us, the under-
signed parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 12, 1821.
The godfather was Etienne Dubois; and the godmother Marie
Anne Fisher who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
[EJtienne Dubois; Marianne Fisher.
Luc Marly, born May 2, 1807, of the lawful marriage of
Charles Marly and of Josephte Vaillancourt, privately baptized
by Patrice Adhemar, received the solemn ceremonies of Bap-
and baptisms, for which he received fixed fees. His decisions were
seldom controverted, and upon the whole were generally equitable.
Judge Reaume sold his farm in 1815, and not long thereafter removed
to Little Kaukaulin, where he died in 1822. The Society's manuscript
collections include many of Resume's papers. — Ed.
»»For their marriage see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 506, 511. — Ed.
[143]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
tism through us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du
Detroit, August 10, 182 1, the father being present. The god-
father was Etienne Dubois ; and the godmother Marie Anne
Fisher who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Etienne Dubois ; Marianna Eisher.
Theotis, born November J 7, 1805, of Catherine Govreau and
of Francois Baudoin, was baptized conditionally by us, the un-
dersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 12,
182.1', the mother being present. The godfather was pierre
Crepeau ; and the godmother Ursule leblanc, wife of Alexandre
Fraser, who declared that she could not sign her name when
thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Pierre Crepeaux.
Pierre, born September 19, 1818, of Catherine Govreau and
of Francois Baudoin, was baptized conditionally by us, the un-
dersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 12,
1821. The godfather was Jean Fillon, who signed with us;
and the godmother Ursule leblanc, wife of Alexandre fraser,
who declared that she could not sign her name.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Celeste Reed,90 born in 1799 of N. Reed and of a woman
Savage of the Manomini nation, was baptized conditionally by
us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit,
August 13, 1821. The godfather was Pierre Cowen; and the
godmother Marie Anne Fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Pierre Cowne ; Mariann;a Fisher.
Francois Cadot, born yesterday of Augustin Cadot and of
Famainbile an otchipwas woman, was baptized by us, the under-
go Married Francois Paget; see Ibid., p. 513. — Ed
[144]
1695-1821]
Mackinac Baptisms
signed parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 13, 1821,
the father being present.91 The godfather was Francois Paget
who signed with us; and the godmother Marguerite ChovTet
who was unable to sign her name.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Franqois Paget.
Louis Paquin, born December 2, 1816, of Pierre Paquin and
of Marie Campbell, married by the civil judge, was baptized
conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne
du Detroit, August 13, 1821. The father was present. The
godfather was Maurice Mata ; and the godmother Ursule Le-
blanc, the wife of Alexandre Fraser, who declared that they
could not sign their names when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Catherine Paquin, born September 11, 1819, of Pierre Pa-
quin and of Marie Campbell, married by the civil judge, was
Baptized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of
Ste Anne du Detroit, August 13, 1821. The father was pres-
ent. The godfather was Maurice Mata ; and the godmother
Ursule Leblanc, wife of Alexandre Fraser, who declared that
they could not sign their names when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Qi Augustin Cadot, here named, was probably a son or brother pf
Joseph Cadot, who was interpreter at Fort St. Joseph as early as 1808,
when he is mentioned by Col. William Claus on the journey of that
year for the Indian Department. In 1810 he was highly commended
for his conduct — see Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xxiii, pp. 59, 281.
Joseph Cadot was lieutenant during the War of 1812-15, and at its
close received a lot on Drummond Island, where he settled. Descend-
ants removed to Penetanguishine, where they were living recently.
See Ontario Historical Society Papers, iii, p. 152. — Ed.
10
[145]
Wisconsin Historical Collections ivoi. xix
George Smith Dousman,92 born September 21, 1820, of John
Dousman and of Eosalie Labor de, bis lawful wife, was baptized
by ns, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit
August 13, 1821. The father and mother were present. The
godfather was William McGulpin; and the godmother Made-
line Laframboise who declared that she could not sign her
name. The godfather signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
W. McGulpin ; Rosalie Dousman ; John Dousman.
William d'Alcantura Gordon,93 born December 6, 1820, at
Drummond Island,94 of George Gordon and of Agathe Landry,
was baptized by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne
du Detroit, August 13, 1821, the mother being present. The
92 Removed June 14, 1836, to Milwaukee, where he was city clerk
for five terms (1860-68), president of the county board (1869-72), and
auditor for Milwaukee County for one term. He died in Milwaukee
May 31, 1879.— Ed.
93 George Gordon was the son of a Colonel Gordon of Montreal, who
was killed in the West Indies. The son entered the service of Hud-
son's Bay Company, and settling on Drummond Island married Agatha
(Agnes) Landry. In 1825 he removed to Penetanguishene, where he
built the first house on the site since called Gordon's Point. His
second wife was Marguerite Langlade, great-granddaughter of Charles
Langlade of Wisconsin. Gordon died at his Penetanguishene place
in 1852. His eldest son, William D., whose baptism is here recorded,
was lost in the woods at the age of twelve; fifteen years later his
skeleton was discovered, and buried with his father's remains. — Ed.
When the British retired from Mackinac in 1815, after the con-
clusion of the Treaty of Ghent, their commandant was ordered to
establish a post as near Mackinac as possible, in order to keep con-
trol of the Indian trade. Accordingly the post was built on Drum-
mond Island, opposite the Strait of Detour, now a part of the state
of Michigan, and then supposed to be within British territory. There,
until 1828, a considerable establishment was maintained, consisting
of a garrison, barracks, officers' quarters, and many traders' houses.
See description in S. F. Cook, Drummond Island (Lansing, 1896).
The boundary survey, in which Drummond Island was conveyed to
the United States, was not concluded until 1822. The arrangement*
[146]
1695-1821 |
Mackinac Baptisms
godfather was John Dousman ; and the godmother Rosalie La
Borde, his wife, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
John Dousman; Rosalie Dousman.
Marie Anne Clermont, born May 20, 1819, of Jeremie Cler-
mont and of a woman Savage of the Potowatamies nation, pri-
vately baptized by Js Crevier des Chenaa/5 was baptized
conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne
du Detroit, August 15, 1821, the father being present. The
godfather was William McGulpin, who signed with ns ; and the
godmother Marguerite Bertrand.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
W. McGulpin.
Jean Romain, born about June 20, 1818, of a woman Savage
of the Outawa nation, called Mayamo and of an unknown
father, was baptized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish
priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August 16, 1821, the mother be-
ing present. The godfather was frangois Paget, who signed
for transferring the post were dilatory, so that not until 1828 did the
garrison remove to Penetanguishene, on Matchedash Bay, having for
thirteen years maintained a British post on American territory, and
subsidized the Indians that resorted thither. Many of the former
inhabitants of Mackinac, preferring British to American affiliation,
went with the garrison to Drummond Island, and there maintained
a considerable connection and traffic with their former friends and
neighbors at Mackinac. — Ed.
9r> Joseph Crevier's name first appears in the records of the Church
of the Assumption at Sandwich, opposite Detroit, in November, 1816.
He was then clerical assistant. In 1825 he became priest in charge of
the parish, and so continued until after 1832. He frequently officiated
in Detroit. The church at Sandwich was originally the Huron mis-
sion, for which see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 32, note 4S. Father
Crevier is mentioned in Ibid., p. 512. — Ed.
[147]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
with us ; and the godmother Marguerite Chauret, who declared
that she could not sign her name when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Francois Paget.
i
£
Charles Alexandre, born on March 15, 1818, of an Outawas
woman called Abitagowinan, and of an unknown father, was
baptized conditionally by us, the undersigned parish priest of
Ste Anne du Detroit August 6 [16], 1821, the mother being
present. The godfather was Louis Genereux96 who declared
that he could not sign his name; and the godmother Elizabeth
Therese fisher, who signed with us.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Elizabeth Tharesa Fisher.
Pierre Laurent, born March 27, 1817, of Alexandre Laurant
and of an Otchipwas woman called Chingwacok, was baptized by
us the undersigned parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit, August
16, 1821, the father being present. The godfather was An-
toine Minard ; and the godmother Marguerite Bertrand, wife of
Daniel Bourassa, who declared that they could not sign their
names.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
Francois Samuel Lasselay, born about April 15, of Samuel
Lasselay and of an Outawas woman savage called Abitagowi-
nan, was baptized by us, the undersigned parish priest of Ste
•« Louis Genereux was a half-breed, well-known to the early Amer-
ican settlers of Ionia County, Michigan. He had a trading-house
on Grand River not far from Ionia, and was sentenced to state's
prison for burning his father-in-law in a drunken bout. He there
learned the shoemaker's trade, and when pardoned settled in Kala-
mazoo County, at Gull Prairie. He was probably with Colonel McKay
in Wisconsin, in the War of 1812-15. — Ed.
[148]
1787]
Mackinac Marriages
Anne du Detroit, August 6, 1821, the mother being present.
The godfather was Francois Paget who signed with us; and the
godmother Marguerite Chauret who declared that she could not
sign her name when thereunto requested.
Gabriel Richard, priest,
FRANgois Paget.
1787: REGISTER OF MARRIAGES
[The following entry was omitted, through clerical oversight, from
the list of marriages given in our volume xviii.]
August 20, 1787, after granting dispensation of bans be-
tween Louis hamelin, son of Sieur Charles hamelin and of the
late Awaci, a sauteux savage, his father and mother, of the
government of Montreal, of the one part ; and Josette Le Sable,
a savage of the Sauteux nation, residing at the old fort of
Michilimakina, of the other part — I, the undersigned priest,
administered the sacrament of matrimony to them, after re-
ceiving the mutual consent they had already pledged one an-
other many years ago in the hope of having their marriage
ratified by an approved priest and before several witnesses, also
according to the ordinances of our mother the holy church and
as testified below by the signatures of messieurs J. Be Nolen;
L. Cariguan, Notary public, witnesses, who Signed with us,
as did also the husband; the wife declared that she could not
sign her name.
Payet, Miss11, priest
L. HAMELIN.
[149]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1743-1806: REGISTER OF INTERMENTS
[Source, same as preceding document.] ^
Died August TO, 1743 [Marie Coussante, daughter of Joseph
Hins] ; she was the first one buried in the new church built by
her father, under the holy water font.98
She [Marie Athanase, slave of Charles Hamelin] died forti-
fied with all the sacraments, on January 24, 1748, and was
buried in the church the following day beside her deceased
mistress.
Died [Jacques, son of Jacques Dumay, baptized February 1,
1748] a few days afterward and was buried in the church near
the little hins girl.
97 The register of interments was evidently not as carefully kept as
those of marriages and baptisms. The following first four entries
have been abstraced from the baptismal register, being entered after
the records of baptisms on the death of the child previously baptized.
The record kept by Father Le Franc, beginning in 1754 and continu-
ing through 1760, is continuous, and entered in one portion of the reg-
ister, headed "Registre des morts depuis le ler aoust 1754" [Register
of deaths after August 1, 1754]. The remaining entries were scat-
tered miscellaneously among the marriages and baptisms, but have
here been assembled in chronological order. — Ed.
98 Pond describes the church in 1774 as a "Commodious Roman
Catholic church;" see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 327. Henry, in 1761,
also mentions the church. There is a tradition that this building was
taken down, and the materials transported to the island and re-erected
there. Sinclair writing in 1780 to his superior says: "Could I have
completed the church (on the island) the whole garrison would have
been over." — (Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., ix, p. 579). Father Richard,
in 1799, describes the island church as 25 x 45 feet, built of cedar,
and very old. The first church on the island was on the site of
the old cemetery south of the Astor House; some dispute arising over
the land-title, Madame Laframboise gave a lot for the church, which
was removed and rebuilt with a large addition. This served the par-
ish of St. Anne of Michimilimackinac until 1874, when the present
parish church was erected. — Ed.
[ 150 ]
1743-1806] Mackinac Interments
The child [ Angustin Laffertiere dit jasmin, baptized Febru-
ary 27, 17521 died 2 or 3 months afterwards and is buried in
the cemetery on the left hand side on entering.
August 1, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this mission
the body of jean Bapt. gourn dit Champagne, about forty-five
years old. He had received the holy Viaticum and extreme
unction ; the prayers for the dying were said for him. He was
married and was returning to the ilinois with his wife. He was
interred after the celebration of a requiem high mass by me
the undersigned priest, missionary of the society of Jesus, per-
forming the duties of parish priest.
In testimony whereof I have signed beneath.
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
August 2, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this place
the body of jean Bapt. rocheleoi, fourteen years old. He had
received extreme unction as he had not made his first commun-
ion. The prayers of the church for the dying were said for
him. He died yesterday evening and was interred this evening
with the usual ceremonies. * * *
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
August 11, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this place
the body of joseph tellier dit la fortune, ten or eleven years old.
He received extreme unction.
M. L. Lefeanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
In the same year, and on the twenty- third of the month afore-
laid, I interred in the cemetery joseph Marie le tellier, brother
jf the above, nearly eight years old, with the same ceremonies.
I had interred Marie josephe, their sister, a year and a half
old, at the end of the month of July ; I am not sure of the day.
[151]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Moreover, four men whose names I do not know died last
winter at nipigoung, and one at the detour" this month.
M. L. Lefkanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
September 14, 1754, was buried in the cemetery of this mis-
sion jean baptiste a slave of Mr- guion whom I had privately
baptized fifteen days ago. He was about eleven or twelve years
old. M. L. Lefkanc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
In the evening of the same day was interred in the same
place frangois le tellier, about twenty years old, after having re-
ceived all the sacraments and been assisted with the prayers of
the church.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
In the same year as above on the 15th of the same month,
was interred in the same place Antoine des Coteaux, about
twenty years old, after receiving all the sacraments and having
been assisted with the prayers of the church.
M. L. Lefranc, jesuit.
I have learned that the panis [slave] of Mr- Rocheveau died
at the Sault about five weeks ago. I had privately baptized
him shortly before.
December 10, I interred the panis of Monbrun whom I had
privately baptized August 29, 1754.
Lefranc, jesuit.
I interred Marie francoise Brisbe in the cemetery of
this place. She was born June 1, of the present year. At
michilimakimak August 30, 1757.
M. L. Lefrano, miss, of the society of Jesus.
09 The Detour is the southeastern point of the upper peninsula of
Michigan; so called because of the abrupt change of direction made
by a boat in rounding tiiis point. — Ed.
r 152 ]
1743-1806]
Mackinac Interments
I interred in the cemetery of this place October 11', 1757,1
joseph parent, aged twenty-three years, after having received all
the succors of the church.
Lefbanc, jesuit.
1 interred in the same place on the 13th, the brother of Ki-
gesse whom I had privately baptized on Monday.
On the 14th I interred ouichema whom I had privately bap-
tized the previous night.
I interred kininchioue and the son of ouichema whom I had
privately baptized yesterday.
I, the undersigned, interred in the cemetery of this post
Catherine, a slave of Monsieur Bourassa who died yesterday
evening in the most Christian sentiments. This 26tb of Oc-
tober, 1757.
M. L. Lefranc, of the society of Jesus.
In the same year and month I interred in the same place
Louis Amiot, twelve years old, and a little panis girl belonging
to Sieur Bourassa, the younger, whom I had privately baptized
October 28, 1757.
Lefeanc, jesuit.
i This was the beginning cf the great smallpox epidemic, that was
brought to Mackinac and all the upper country by the Indians re-
turning from the Lake Champlain expedition of 1757. During the
siege of Fort William Henry, smallpox broke out among the garri-
son and several died. Not content with breaking the capitulation,
and beginning an indiscriminate plundering and massacre among the
surrendered troops, the barbarous Indians of the North exhumed the
recently-buried members of the garrison in order to scalp the corpses,
and thus add to their ghastly trophies. In this wise they themselves
caught the contagion, which they carried with them to Mackinac and
beyond. See F. B. Hough, Journals of Major Robert Rogers (Albany,
1833), p. 78; Francois Pouchot, War in America, 1155-60 (Roxbury,
Mass., 1866), i, pp. 91, 92. The latter says that the Potawatomi
were almost extinguished. See also Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 203,
205.— Ed.
[ 153 ] ,
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
November 4, I interred in the same place ignace Parent, 19
years old. On the same day and in the same place I interred a;
little girl savage whom I had privately baptized yesterday.
November 8, of the said year, I interred anne Villeneuve,
wife of Monsieur Blondeau, in this place, who died yesterday.
Lefranc, jesuit.
I interred the son of memamghiouinet, who died on the 7th.
I interred in the cemetery of this post, in accordance with his
last wishes, jacque Michel hamelin, trader, of the parish of
Grondines, who died yesterday. At Michilimakinak, this No-
vember 15, 1757.
M. L. Le frai^c, of the society of Jesus.
On the same day I interred Charlotte, a panis of Mr- Bou-
rassa, the younger, in the same place.
This day, November 19, I interred in the church of this post
Charles Chaboillez," and marie Joseph farly.3
Le franc Miss, of the society of Jesus.
On the 22nd, I interred in the cemetery a little boy slave of
Mr- Cardin.
November 26, I interred a woman savage whom I had pri-
vately baptized.
December 10, I interred ignace, a slave of Mr- Bourassa.
December 15, I interred Claude Peletier dit la haie, voy-
ageur, after having administered the sacraments to him and
said the prayers for the dying.
M. L. Le franc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
2 This was the father mentioned in Ibid., p. 255, note 51. — Ed.
s Either wife or daughter of Jacques Philippe Farly, for whom
see Ibid., p. 258, note 54.— Ed.
[ 154 ]
1743-18061 Mackinac Interments
February 27, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this place
Louis joseph farly, three days old.
Le franc. Miss, of the society of Jesus.
August 16, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this post
Marie Anne, wife of Mr- Amiot4 who died yesterday after re-
ceiving all the the sacraments of the dying and the suffrages of
the church.
M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
October 5, I interred in the cemetery of this post marie
joseph, born and baptized yesterday.
M. L. Lefranc, miss, of the society of Jesus.
October 27, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this post
[blank in MS.] a soldier, whom Mr- Giasson had brought back
ill from the west, and who died suddenly last night. I had
given him absolution last Monday and he was found dead al-
though it was thought he would linger.
M. L. Le franc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
October 19, 1759, I interred in the cemetery of this post
frangois Louis Cardin born on August 17, last.
M. Le franc Miss, of the society of Jesus.
August 22, 1760, I interred in the cemetery of this post An-
toine St amand, who died yesterday after lining received ex-
treme unction.
M. L. Le franc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
4 For an account of Jean Baptiste Amiot, who was blacksmith at
Mackinac, not Green Bay. see Id., iii, pp. 202, 203; vii, pp. 127, 128.
See also mention of Amiot and his wife, Id., xviii, p. 483. She was
<of Ottawa descent, and they were married in 1715. — Ed.
[155]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
June 13, X interred nicolas St medard, who died after having'
received the last sacraments.
M. L. Lb franc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.
She [young female slave of Mr. Parent, baptised March 8,
1762] died on the 17th and was buried on the 18th of the same
month.
August 4, 1'773, was interred Jean Baptiste Metivier,5 who
died yesterday, with public prayers in the absence of a Mis-
sionary.
Cardin, notary.
August 7, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was buried
(with the usual ceremonies) in the cemetery of this parish,6 the
body of Jean Baptiste Bourbonniere who died yesterday (after
receiving the sacrament of Penance), about fifty years old,
husband of Manon Drouin, residing on the river of 1' Assump-
tion in the government of Montreal. There were present: mes-
sieurs Etienne Campion, Jean Baptiste Barthe, and Louis
Carignan, who signed with us, besides a large concourse of
various persons who can neither write nor sign their names.
Payet, Miss, priest.
L. Carignan ; J. Bte Barthe.
December 13, 1701, about seven o'clock in the morning, Jean
Louis Carignan, Esquire, superintendent of inland navigation
b For his marriage in 1757 see Ibid., p. 483. — Ed.
e The old French cemetery on Mackinac Island, after the removal of
the post thither, was on Water street, west of the present John Jacob
Astor House. Most if not all of the remains were removed to the mod-
ern cemetery, in order to make room for the growth of the business
section of the village. The present Grand Hotel occupies the site of
the Indian burial ground of early days, and bones are still exhumed
on the hotel property. It is presumable that many half-breeds were
buried in the Indian cemetery, while others found resting places in*
the French burying-ground on the lower level. — Efr>.
[ 156 ]
1743-18061
Mackinac Interments
at MicMlimaMna and notary Public o£ the said Post, was
drowned in Lake Michigan while going to fish with his hired
man, Jean Bte Dubois, who was saved as well as several persons
who were unable to give him assistance.7
January 6, 1795, was interred felicite Carignant, about
twenty-two years old. She died yesterday about seven o'clock
in the morning and was interred in the church of Michilimak-
ina.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
January 22, 1795, was interred in the cemetery of this post
Jean Bongas,8 a free negro — who died the day before yesterday
evening about nine o'clock — with public prayers in the absence
of a missionary.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN J. P
August 2, 1796, was interred in the cemetery of this parish,
a child born yesterday, son of Charles Spinard and of a savage
mother, by us, the undersigned.
Lavadoux, Vic. -gen.
July 10, 1799, was interred in the cemetery of this parish
Marie J^ouise, a Sauteuse child, about two years old, baptized
the previous day and who died during the night — by us the un-
dersigned priest.
Gabriel Richard, priest.
* Jean Louis Besnard dit Carignaii was born in Canada in 1737;
in 1770, at Montreal, he married Felicite Pillet of Lachine. It would
appear that they did not remove to Mackinac until during the Revo-
lutionary War, but they speedily became prominent citizens, the hus-
band being notary public, churchwarden, and clerk of the court of
inquiry held in 1787. His tragic drowning was a serious loss to the
small community. — Ed.
s For his marriage notice see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 497. — Ed.
[157]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
July 17, 1799? was interred in the cemetery of this Parish a
male child about two months old, born of Andre Charlevoix and
of josette Ammilain, his lawful wife.9
Gabriel Richard, priest.
July 27, 1799, I interred in the cemetery of this parish the
body of josette Ammelain, wife of Andre Charlevoix who died
yesterday. * * *
Gabriel Richard, priest.
October 4, 1799, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Mr.
Paul Lacroix died and was interred in the cemetery of McKinac
in the afternoon of the following day.
April 2, 1800, Sieur Alexis Laframboise, Esquire,10 Captain
of Militia, died suddenly about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and
was interred in the church of McKinanc on the fourth of the
said month.
ADHEMAR St MARTIN
9 For their marriage see Ibid., p. 499. — Ed.
10 Alexis Laframboise was a native of Canada, where the family
name was Fafard. His father, Jean Baptiste Fafard dit Laframboise,.
married Genevieve Bissoniere in 1760. Alexis was probably born
about 1763, being the second son of the family. At what time he
came to the Northwest is not known, but he is supposed to have
traded at Milwaukee about 1784-85. In 1792 he married at Mackinac
Josette Adhemar; see Ibid., pp. 494, 498. Milwaukee was his winter-
ing place for several years. Later, he sent his brother Frangois to
take charge of his goods at that point; but Frangois was improvident,
and after wasting his property was finally killed by Winnebago Indians-
He left a considerable family by a Potawatomi wife. His daughter
Josette was with the Kinzies in the Chicago massacre of 1812, and
afterwards became the wife of Jean Baptiste Beaubien, an early-
Chicago pioneer. Claude, Joseph, and Alexis Laframboise, who also
were settlers of early Chicago, were probably sons of Frangois, and
went thither from Milwaukee. The senior Alexis, who died as here
recorded, is not known to have left descendants. — Ed.
[ 158 1
1743-1806J
Mackinac Interments
July 13, 1801, Mr- Enstache Legal dit Sans Cartier died and
was interred in the cemetery of this Post in the morning of the
fifteenth.
Jnly 11, 1804, we the undersigned priest, the missionary at
Michilimakina, buried with the usual prayers of the Roman
church, jacques St Germain who died at the age of forty-two
years.
J. DlLHET.
November 22, 1804, Sieur Adhemar St martin11 died, at
three quarters past 6 o'clock in the morning, and was Interred
in the Church of McKinac on the 23rd of the said month.
Ant1"5 Dupre, Witness.
January 2, 1806, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Charlotte
Chandonette12 died and was Interred in the cemetery of McKina
on the third of the said month.
Dav3 Mitchell, Witness.
11 Toussaint Antoine Adhemar dit St. Martin was bora in Montreal,
Sept. 10, 1740. Sometime before the Revolution he removed to De-
troit, where a branch of his family had settled at an early date. He
was educated for a physician, and is known to have been at Fort
Miami in 1773. Several years were passed at Detroit, and at the
close of the Revolution he appears to have settled for a time at
Vincennes, Ind., receiving while there, from the British authorities,
a commission as justice of the peace. Shortly after this, he re-
moved to Mackinac, where as notary and justice of the peace he was
an important functionary. Upon the Americans assuming control, St.
Martin was appointed (Sept. 1, 1801) as justice of the peace by Gov-
ernor Harrison of Indiana Territory. He married (probably at Mon-
treal) Genevieve Blondeau. One of their daughters married Alexis
Laframboise, and another, Angelique, taught the first girls' school
at Mackinac. — Ed.
12 Charlotte Chandonnet's marriage is cited in Wis. Hist. Colls.,
xviii, pp. 495, 509. Her adopted son, Jean Baptiste, was clerk for
John Kinzie at Chicago, at the time of the Fort Dearborn massacre
(1812), where he was instrumental in saving the life of Mrs. Nathan
[359]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES IN THE FOREGOING REGISTER.13
July 22, 1787,14 after invoking the enlightenment of the
Holy Ghost, we, the undersigned, elected by a majority of
votes, as church wardens of the church of Ste. Anne de Michili-
makina, messieurs Ch. Chaboille15 and Daniel Bourassa, who
formally promised and undertook to care for the interests of the
Said Church as their own and on their soul and conscience.
Heald, wife of the commandant. In 1814 he arrested a number of
British traders at St. Josephs River, and it was on that occasion that
he killed his uncle, who had been serving with Robert Dickson as
British agent in Wisconsin, and had been sent for information to St.
Josephs. This explains the seeming anomaly noted in Wis. Hist.
Colls., x, pp. 112, 113, where the then Editor thought that the younger
Chandonnet was in Dickson's service, because he places the alterca-
tion and consequent shooting of the elder Chandonnet at an earlier date.
The time is fixed as 1814 by a letter in our Draper MSS., 4T8\ which
accounts for the fact that the elder Chandonnet did not return to
Dickson, as noted in his letter of March 15, 1814. Jean Baptiste
Chandonnet married Marie Chapoton of Detroit, who visited Mackinac
in the winter of 1815-16, and joined her husband at Chicago the fol-
lowing year; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiv, pp. 24-27. Chandonnet in-
terpreted for the United States at Greenville in 1814, and at Portage
des Sioux in 1815. In 1831 he visited the Healds in their Missouri
home, on his way to Kansas to select lands for the Potawatomi. He
was at the Chicago treaties of 1832 and 1833, but died soon there-
after, somewhere in Michigan. — Ed.
is In the original these are scattered through the register, in the
neighborhood of entries on other subjects. They are here brought
together under one head. — Ed.
A parish meeting was held July 23, 1786, wherein Jean Baptiste
Barthe and Louis Carignan were elected churchwardens. As this
was, in the original, entered among the marriages, it will be found
in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 493. — Ed.
ir> Charles Chaboillez was a prominent trader, with large interests
in Lake Superior. He appears to have retired with the British to
St. Joseph's Island, possibly as early as 1788 (see next entry), in
anticipation of their removal. In 1802 he was appointed storekeeper
at the post and in that capacity served several years. — Ed.
[160]
1743-1806 J
Mackinac Interments
In testimony whereof they have signed with us.
Payet, missionary priest.
Chles chaboillez; Dl. Bourassa; Bte. Guillory;16 mar-
chenau; J. B. Barth; L. Carignan; pr. grignon ; Etne
Campion ; Jean Beeves ; G. Cotte ;17 Laurent Ducharme ;
P. tiiierry; Al Laframboise; Bte. tabeau; P. Tabeaux.^
Note — In the Notarial Register of Monsieur Adhemar, page
164, 13th August 1788, is an Acknowledgment by Charley Cha-
boiller, residing at fort St Joseph, or the new fort, for the sum
of sixty livres belonging to the church of Ste Anne de Mikili
Makina.
Gabriel Richard, missionary priest.
1813, 4 February.^
i« The Guillory (Guyari) family were of long-standing and well-
known at Mackinac, coming originally from Montreal. Joseph was
married at the former place in 1747; Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 474.
Antoine was in Lake Superior in 1738 (Id., xvii, p. 290), and married
(1735) Anne Villeneuve, eldest half sister of Charles Langlade. An-
toine had died before 1745. Of the second generation, Jean Baptiste
appears to have been most prominent. In 1778 he was a St. Joseph's
trader, and the same year signed a petition to the governor-general
for a missionary at Mackinac. A man of the same name was in-
terpreter for the troops, and lieutenant in the Indian department
during the War of 1812-15, and accompanied Anderson to Prairie du
Chien; see Id., ix, p. 234 et seq. — En.
it Gabriel Cote (Cotte) belonged to a well-known Canadian family
of Kamouraska, and came out early to the Northwest, where he was
married in 1768; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 487. He seems to
have traded largely in Lake Superior and the far Northwest. In
1783 he took charge of an expedition to the country north of Lake
Superior, wherein four of his men perished, and he found the Indians
dying of hunger; see L. R. Masson, Les Bourgeois de la Compagnie
du Nord-Ouest (Quebec, 1889), i, p. 13. In 1800 Cote removed his
home from Mackinac to the British post on St. Joseph's Island,
where he was recommended by the Commandant for a magistracy.
Voyageurs oT the name of Cote reside in Tiny, Ontario — probably his
descendants; Ontario Hist. Soc. Papers, iii, p. 152.— Ed.
is The circumstances of this entry at this date do not appear from
the register, nor is it known that Father Richard was in Mackinac
11 [ 161 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
This day, the 5th of the month of August 1821, the Inhabi-
tants of the Parish of Ste Anne du Michilimakinac, assembled
in the usual manner, appointed as Church-wardens of this Par-
ish, to remain in office until a new nomination: Mr William
McGulpine, Mr Eloy Bourassa19 and Mr- Joseph Kollet. They
were specially instructed to take care of the movable property
of the Parish consisting chiefly of Church linen, vestments, &c
&c. and to take an inventory of the same.
In testimony whereof we have signed
Gabriel Bichaed, parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit,
president of the meeting.
Johw Do us man ; E. Boueassa.
This day, the loth of the month of August 1821, the inhabi-
tants of the parish of Ste Anne de michilimakina, assembled in
the usual manner, having learned that Mr de Bollet has refused
to accept the office of Church-warden, appointed as third
church-warden Mr John Dousman received into the catholic
church on the 13th of the same month. And the church-war-
dens are instructed to get a petition signed asking Congress for
a lot East of the village, on which to build the church of stone.
Gaeeiel Bichaed, parish priest of Ste Anne du Detroit.
John Dousman; E. Boueassa.
"N, B. The second meeting was held on the 10th of the
month of August, 1821.
in 1813. The entry stands on the second page of the register of
baptisms, directly after the title.-^ED.
is Eloy, younger scion of the prominent Bourassa family of Mack-
inac, was an employee of the American Fur Company, trading in
1818 to the island of La Cloche, in Lake Huron, at an annual salary
of $3,000 —Ed.
[162]
A Wisconsin Fur-Trader's
Journal, 1804-05
By Francois Victor Malhiot
Letter to~ the Readers
Gentlemen20 — It would be too venturesome a task for me to
undertake to write a full and formal journal; my education is
too inadequate. * * * It is true that, in the earlier years
of my childhood, I could read, but no sooner had I reached the
20 Addressed to the partners of the North West Fur Company.
This organization was one of the most important in the history of
the North American fur-trade. It was the successor to the French
trade of the Northwest, which began to revive in 1766 at the close
of Pontiac's conspiracy. In 1769 the first British trader penetrated
to points beyond Lake Superior, going as far as Fort Bourbon, and
returning the next year with a rich harvest of furs. For the next
ten years this trade continued with increasing vigor, and was extended
by the efforts of Peter Pond to the Athabasca region. In 1780 the
Indians conspired against the traders, several posts were attacked,
and many traders' lives might have been lost, had it not been for an
epidemic of smallpox that raged for two years among the natives.
Meanwhile, unrestrained competition had wrought great evils, the
Indians were debauched, and the traders, being without legal re-
straints, grew lawless. Several times, interests were pooled for a
brief period. Finally, in the winter of 1783-84, a sixteen-share com-
pany was formed for five years at Montreal, of which the Frobisher
brothers and Simon McTavish were agents; the other, or wintering,
partners dwelt at their posts in the far Northwest. The general
rendezvous was at the Grand Portage, on Lake Superior. In 1787
the partnership was renewed for nine years, with twenty shares,
[163]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
age of reason than idleness and pleasure prevented my going
further and I have remained within my limited sphere. I
write because I am ordered to write and out of submission and
respect for tne person who has given me the order.21
These are notes rather than a journal. No sooner did any-
thing happen during the course of my journey, than I at once
scribbled it down anyway ; sometimes in bad French, sometimes
in Canadian patois. I have described the character of the prin-
cipal Savages of the place to the best of my ability. I have
praised the post of Lac au Flambeau and have said all I thought
of every person with me.
You may perhaps find me severe in my ideas and inconsistent
in my judgments, especially with regard to the Savages, and
you may say that it is the effect of my hatred and bad humor.
But no ! May God preserve me from wishing ill to any one on
earth, and I declare before Heaven that all that is written in
thus admitting some former rivals to the partnership. Under the
new impetus of combination, the association grew very prosperous,
trebled its capital in eleven years, and controlled not only the trade,
out the entire destiny of the Northwest country. Under its auspices
vast explorations were made — Alexander Mackenzie discovering in
1789 the river that bears his name, also the Arctic Ocean; in 1793 he
crossed the Rocky Mountains, and reached the Pacific by land. In 1798,
the association was re-formed, with forty-six shares, some of the old
partners retiring, and clerks being promoted to partnership. At this
time there were employed fifty clerks, seventy-one interpreters, 1120
voyageurs, and thirty-five guides. The company's operations con-
tinued until 1821, when after a nine-years' struggle with the Hud-
son's Bay Company, the North West sold out to the former in that
year. Its successor on American soil was the American Fur Com-
pany, organized by John Jacob Astor in 1809. — Ed.
21 It was the policy of the North West Company to require the
clerks in charge of a post to keep a journal of proceedings therein.
L. R. Masson, formerly of Montreal, made a large collection of these
journals and letters, many of which he has published in Les Bour-
geois de la Compugnie du Nord-Ouest (Quebec, 1889). We translate
and present to our readers this journal of life at a Wisconsin post
in 1804-05, taken from his work, i, pp. 223-263. — Ed.
[164]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
this book, is true and on the honor of a thoroughly honest man.-
Honni soit qui mal y pense !
I remain, Gentlemen, Your very humble and very obedient
servant.
F. Vt. M. l. o. [Franqois Victor Malhiot]22
22 Francois Victor Malhiot was a French-Canadian of good family,
the "son of a respectable gentleman,' rich in sentiment and honor."
Two of his brothers were known in the service of their country —
Lieut.-Col. Pierre Ignace Malhiot, who entered the army and served
in Canada, and Hon. Xavier Malhiot, representative in the Canadian
parliament, who died at Boucherville in 1855. Frangois was born in
1776, being scarcely fifteen years of age when he became an articled
clerk to the North West Company. At the time of Malhiot's apprentice-
ship, the young clerks were required to serve five years for their ex-
penses and £100. Since Malhiot speaks of thirteen years of travelling
and eleven years of wintering, it is possible that he spent two years
in coming to the upper country for the summers only, serving in the
Montreal house during the winters. It is probable that his experiences
were in many ways comparable to those of Gurdon Hubbard of Chi-
cago, who has described in his Autobiography the life of a fur-trade
apprentice some twenty-five years later (1818-23).
In 1796 Malhiot received his appointment to the upper Red River
department, where apparently he remained for eight years, and
where in 1799 his annual salary was £240. This was the department
of Assiniboine River, which unites with Red River of the North at
Winnipeg; and Malhiot was under John MacDonnell, wintering part-
ner of the North West Company (1796-1815). The principal fort
was on River Qu'appelle, with several subsidiary posts. See Mac-
Donnell's journal in Masson, Bourgeois, i, pp. 267-295.
At the summer meeting of the partners in 1804, it was decided to
promote Malhiot and send him to take charge of a post to the south
of Lake Superior, where complaints of the clerk in charge, Charles.
Gauthier, seemed of sufficient importance to make some change nec-
essary. Malhiot's experiences during the succeeding winter are here
related by himself. He repaired and rebuilt the post, and his reports
were sufficiently promising to cause his return to the same place for
the next year, and apparently for the succeeding one.
In 1807, having become tired of the fur-trade, Malhiot determined'
to retire, and resigned his position with the company. During his-
residence in the interior he had, in the fashion of the country, mar-
ried an Indian woman. This occurred August 8, 1800, at the fort at
[165]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
FROM FORT K AM AN AIT IQUOYA TO THE MONTREAL RIVER
July 9., 1804 I left Fort Kamanaitiquoya23 at 4 o'clock with
an outfit of eleven assorted bales, twenty kegs of rum double
strength, four kegs of powder, five bags of shot and bullets, hall
the mouth of Winnipeg River. See Daniel W. Harmon, Journal of
Voyages and Travels (Andover, 1820), p. 49. "This evening," he
Bays, "Mons. Mayotte [Malhiot] took a woman of this country for
a wife, or rather concubine." Upon leaving the interior, Malhiot
left his Indian wife with her own people, but took with him his
half-breed son, Francois Xavier Ignace (named apparently for him-
self and his own two brothers). Settling at Contrecceur he educated
his son, and lived there until his death in 1840.
Malhiot was familiarly known to his relatives and intimates as
Erambert. He was a cousin of Jacques Porlier of Green Bay, and for
a short time after his return from the Northwest, lived with the lat-
ter's maiden sisters at Vercheres. He is frequently mentioned in the
family letters, and several letters from him to Porlier are in the Wis-
consin Historical Library; i. e., Wisconsin MSS., 3B28, 4B52, 13B42,
2C57, 90.— Ed.
23 This word has had many spellings. The accepted form is Kam-
inistiquia, and is said to signify "river with many islands" or
'"river that flows around" — the Kaministiquia entering Lake Supe-
rior by three mouths. It is one of the oldest sites on that lake.
Hadisson and Grosseilliers are supposed to have passed here in the
-middle of the seventeenth century. Duluth built the first trading
post on this site in 1678, probably at the point where the later
posts were found, on the north side of the north branch, a half mile
above the mouth. The second French post was established here in
1717, by Zacherie Robutel, sieur de la Noue, who remained in command
until 1721. Thenceforward it became an important station, both as
gateway to the farther West, and for the amount and quality of furs
secured. In 1743 the post was leased for 3000 livres. In 1757 the price
had increased to 4000 livres, and every year it sent out from sixty to
seventy packs of fine furs. About this period Kaministiquia was
abandoned, and when the English reopened the fur-trade on Lake Su-
perior, Grand Portage, sixty miles to the southwest, became their head-
quarters. After the American Revolution, it was found that the North
West Company's post at Grand Portage was on American territory, and
attempts were made to open various routes to the interior waters^ It
was not until 1798 that Roderick McKenzie rediscovered the Kaminis-
[166]
0y^ o
>/»" X/; ^
Autograph letter ijy Francois Victor Malhiot
Photographic reduction of original, in Wisconsin Historical Library
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
a bale of kettles, a case of guns, twelve traps and four rolls of
tobacco,24 the whole entrusted to my care by Mr William Mac
Gillivray25 to be traded for furs in the Department of Montreal
tiquia route, and thereupon it was decided to remove headquarters
thither. The new fort was begun in 1801, and in the summer of 1804,
when Malhiot was present, was about completed.
The name Fort William was not bestowed upon it until 1807.
Fort William was for twenty years the centre of Western activity.
It covered an area of fourteen acres, was surrounded by high pickets,
and contained many buildings, chief of which was the great hall
where the partners met and dined. Thither the agents of the com-
pany came each year from Montreal, to meet the wintering partners
from the far interior. There the business of the year was transacted,
the accounts made out, assignments arranged for the ensuing year,
and outfits put up for clerks and partners. The classic description
of Fort William is found in Washington Irving's Astoria. After the
amalgamation with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821, the glory of
Fort William departed. It was, however, still maintained as a post,
and around it was a small settlement of retired employees. This is
now a town of 7000 inhabitants, one of the stations on the Canadian
Pacific Railway. Vestiges of the old fur-trade post and its buildings
are yet to be seen. — Ed.
24 Compare the outfit of Alexander Henry the younger, described in
his journals in Elliott Coues, New Light on the Early History of the
Greater Northwest (New York, 1897), p. 7. — Ed.
25 William McGillevray was at tiiis time one of the chief agents
of the North West Company resident at Montreal. He had served his
apprenticeship in the field, going out first as clerk, and becoming a
wintering partner in 1790, after buying out the interest of Peter
Pond. His aptitude for the business was po great, that in 1797 he
became one of the agents, and it was his duty to visit the upper
country every year, and make the settlements and assignments for
the succeeding year. For this purpose he had a special canoe of
his own, manned by expert voyageurs who took pride in passing
all brigades on the Ottawa River. McGillevray was popular with
his colleagues and employees, and was very successful in keeping
up the efficiency of the company. After 1804 he was its recognized
head, and as such was frequently consulted by the government,
especially after the War of 1812-15, in regard to new posts in the
Northwest. In 1814 he was appointed legislative councillor, and
having amassed a considerable fortune was one of the prominent men
[167]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
River.26 Moreover, I was supplied with as many French, pro-
visions as a proprietor might have wished for, * * * four
hundred pounds of flour, two barrels and a half of pork, forty
pounds of biscuit, a Keg of shrub (rum), a Keg of high-wines,
two of sugar, four pounds of tea, a ham, bread, butter, etc. etc.
The heavy wind compelled me to land at the entrance of Lake
Superior; there I found Corbin,27 one of Mr Cadotte's28 clerks.
My toothache got worse.
11th Wednesday. My people took only 2 Dores in their
nets.29 I left my camp after we had cooked a meal. At half
of Montreal. But his sympathies turned to his native land, and in
1818 he bought an estate in Argyleshire, where he retired from active
life, dying in 1825 from the effects of hardships endured in the
Northwest trade. — Ed.
26The term Department of Montreal River appears to he a new
one in the North West Company's nomenclature. In the assign-
ments of 1799, all the southern border of Lake Superior is classed
together. Malhiot's expedition is apparently a new venture on the
company's part — there had been trading here before, but not in
charge of a person of the grade of clerk, who reported directly to
headquarters. — Ed.
27 The author means that he got no farther than the mouth of
Kaministiquia River, where he was storm-bound.
Jean Baptiste Corbin, a young Canadian of good family, born in 1776,
had received some education before entering the employ of the
North West Company in 1796. He was assigned to the Lake Supe-
rior department and entered the service of Michel Cadotte, who in
1800 sent him to establish a post on Lac Court Oreille. There he
married a Chippewa woman, and had much influence with his
Indian neighbors. In 1808, during the excitement caused by the
efforts of Tecumseh and the Prophet, Corbin's post was plundered,
he being obliged to flee through the woods to Chequamegon. This
was partly due to an indiscretion on his part. He soon after re-
turned, and passed the remainder of his life at this place. In 1818
he was taken into the employ of the American Fur Company, and
in 1824 aided in suppressing hostilities on the part of the Indians.
He was living at Lac Court Oreille as late as 1852. See Minn. Hist,
Colls., v, index.— Ed.
2R Michel Cadotte of La Pointe; see ante, p. 69, note 98. — Ed.
2» Elliott Coues identifies this fish, known to the French as poisson
dor 6, as the wall-eyed pike-perch (stizostedion vitreum). — Ed.
[168]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
past five, after traveling two hours the wind compelled me to-
camp. * * * By all the devils, my toothache will not
leave me.
] 2th Thursday. I started this morning at four o'clock. At
eleven o'clock I met an unloaded canoe of X Y but could not
find out where it was going.30 At noon I passed the Grand
Portage81 where X Y's schooner was weighing anchor. A
so The great success of the North West Fur Company provoked
rivalry and emulation. In 1798 a company was formed to oppose
this powerful monopoly, but it was only by "dissension within the
ranks of the Nor' Westers themselves that efficient opposition could
succeed. In 1799 much dissatisfaction was expressed with the
haughty bearing and tyrannical methods of the chief agent, Simon
McTavish. Accordingly, Alexander Mackenzie withdrew from the
company, and going to England published his book of travels. For
the discoveries therein recorded he was knighted, and received much
honor. Returning to Canada in 1801 he formed a partnership with
the North West Company's rivals, Richardson, Forsyth & Co. of
Montreal, and Phyn, Inglis & Co. of London, to carry on the fur-
trade. This company was usually spoken of as the X Y Company,
probably because these letters succeeded in the alphabet the W of
the North West Company's name. It was sometimes known as the
New Company, and often as Alexander Mackenzie's. For three
years the competition was severe, the X Y employees following the
Nor' Westers, placing forts beside theirs, securing Indian favor and
trade by various means, and vastly damaging the trade monopoly.
Further in this journal, we shall see results at Lac du Flambeau. In
July, 1804, McTavish died, and occasion for the opposition having
ceased, in November of the same year the two companies united, to-
the satisfaction of all parties concerned. See the agreement in
Masson, Bourgeois, ii, pp. 482-499. — Ed.
si The term Grand Portage was first applied to the nine-mile
carry between Lake Superior and a point on Pigeon River above its
falls. Gradually, however, the name came to be applied only to the
landing place on the shore of the lake. This is situated in a bay,
too shallow for landing vessels of considerable burden. The place
was well-known during the French regime, but the Kaministiquia
route was more frequently used. At the beginning of the British
regime, however, Grand Portage became an important centre of the
fur-trade. Carver found many traders there in 1767; eight years
later, Alexander Henry started thence for his tour to the interior,
[169]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
moment afterward I saw her outside the islands sailing in the
direction of Sanlt Ste. Marie.32 At half past one o'clock, I saw
Ohorette33 and his aide-de-camp Lalancette,34 two employees of
and found it the scene of harmful competition. Thence, until the
removal (1801-04) to Fort William (see ante, note 23), Grand Port-
age was the headquarters of the entire North West fur-trade, and
here the company of that name built an important post After the
removal to the new fort, Grand Portage gradually sank into obscur-
ity, having only a local impbrtance. It is now a small post village,
and fishing resort of a few whites and half-breeds, in Cook County,
Minnesota. For further particulars see Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, pp.
123-125, in which, however, Neill's statements are inaccurate. — Ed.
32 The earliest sailing vessel on Lake Superior would appear to
have been that of La Ronde, used for developing his copper-mining
interests; see Id., xvii, pp. 310-313. A similar enterprise under
British auspices was inaugurated in 1770-71; see James Bain, Alex-
ander Henry's Travels and 'Adventures '(Boston, 1901), pp. 220-
229. Sailing vessels for the fur-trade do not appear to have been
xised until the formation of the North West Company, which in
1784 petitioned for the privilege of building barks on Lake Superior.
The first vessel, built in 1785, was appropriately named "Beaver,"
and cost £1843. Unfortunately she could not be passed above Sault
Ste. Marie, so the company had to build upon Lake Superior, where
in 1787 they had a schooner of about fifty tons burden — with two
others on Lake Huron, transporting goods and supplies from De-
troit. See Alexander Mackenzie, Voyages (London, 1801), pp. xxxix,
xl. The X Y Company had likewise their vessel, as appears by this
passage. — Ed.
33 Simon or Simeon Chorette (Chaurette, Charrette) was a North
West Company employee in the region south of Lake Superior at
the close of the eighteenth century. He joined the opposition X Y
Company, and as will be seen, proved an efficient rival of Malhiot
at Lac du Flambeau throughout the season. After the amalgamation,
he again became a North West employee. In 1818 he had entered
the American Fur Company, by whom he was given charge that same
year of the Lac du Flambeau post on a salary of $1200, with goods
to the amount of $5100. The same year, his wife was the Company's
trader at Keweenaw Cove. Later, Chorette retired to Green Bay,
where he was engaged with the Grignons and Porlier in the fur-trade
as late as 1832. — Ed.
a* Antoine Lalancette was taken into the service of the North
[170]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
X Y for the Montreal River : they were camped and seemed to
have three baggage outfits and three canoes. I camped here at
la Riviere Brulee35 and had my nets set. My toothache will
not leave me.
13th Friday. My men took up their nets this morning and
caught two trout and a white fish. At six o'clock we started
after taking a meal. At 11 o'clock the Savages of M. Mi[chel]
Cadotte caught up to me and told me they had seen Chorette;
who had told them one of the three canoe-loads was for the
Riviere des Sauteux,36 one load and a half for the Montreal
River, and the other half load for La Pointe. At three o'clock
West Company after amalgamation in 1804. In 1818 he was clerk at
Lac du Flambeau for the American Fur Company. — Ed.
35 Not the well known Bois Brule River of Wisconsin, part of the
famous portage route through the St. Croix to the Mississippi, but a
small stream in Cook County, Minn., not far from Grand Portage. — Ed.
30 For the early history of Chippewa River (Riviere des Sauteux),
see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 79, note 18. The source of its western
branch has been known for many years as Ottawa Lake, or Lac
Court Oreilles, practically synonomous terms. This name was given
because the Ottawa refuged there in their flight from the Iroquois
in the middle of the seventeenth century; although only remaining
a brief while they seem to have often returned to the stream for
hunting. The Ottawa acquired the name of Court Oreilles (short
ears) some time in the eighteenth century; not, as often stated,
because they clipped their ears, but because they left them in the
natural condition — that is, the lobe was not distended, or lengthened,
by ornaments or weights. The Chippewa did not take possession of
this region until well into the middle of the eighteenth century;
their first permanent settlements appear to have been about the
beginning of the British era.
Trade was first carried among them by the Cadottes, Jean Baptiste
II entering this region about 1792. In 1800 Michel Cadotte had a
post at Lac Court Oreilles. The clerk in charge thereof for many
years was Jean Baptiste Corbin. In 1818 the American Fur Com-
pany opened trade at this place, with Corbin still in charge. By
1824 it was placed in the hands of Lyman M. Warren, who main-
tained the post for ten years. The reservation for the tribe was es-
tablished in 1854, and there a considerable band yet dwell. — Ed.
[171]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
in the afternoon I camped at the Grand Marais37 because the
Savages told me I should have good fishing there.
14th Saturday. We caught in the nets four fine trout, three
large ciscaouettes, and a white fish.38 At five o'clock I had the
canoes put in the water ; at noon I met a canoe from Fond du
Lac, on its way to Kamanaitiquoya loaded with bark. That
night I camped at Collin's winter quarters39 * * *
1 6th Monday. Yesterday the wind compelled us to camp at
la Roche debout and this morning I started at 4 o'clock. At
two o'clock in the afternoon I had to put ashore owing to the
great violence of the wind. My toothache was so bad last night
that, after trying every imaginable remedy and taking fifty
drops of opium without any effect, I decided to take some rum.
I swallowed at one gulp half a pint of the raw spirit, which took
effect in a quarter of an hour and made me sleep until morning.
My body feels broken, my jaw is tender, and I have a sensation
of nausea, buf; my toothache has departed with the half pint of
spirits.
19th Thursday. The day before yesterday I started with
sails set, but at one o'clock in the afternoon I was obliged to put
in at Petite Peche because it was blowing too hard. The wind
and rain continued all day yesterday, and I was unable to leave
camp before 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I arrived here, at the
37 Grand Marais is now the seat of Cook County, Minn., with a
population of about 300. It has a fine harbor, and is still an excel-
lent place for fishing. — Ed.
38 The trout was that known to the Great Lakes as Mackinac trout,
cristivomer namaycush; the ciscaouette (now called siskowit) was
a fat variety of the same species, now properly called cristivomer
namaycush siscowet. This was first described by Louis Agassiz in
his Lake Superior (Boston, 1850), p. 333. The whitefish was the com-
mon whitefish of Lake Superior, coregonus clupeiformis. For this
information, thanks are due to Prof. George Wagner of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin. — Ed.
3» Probably a free trader, as no person of that name seems to have
been in the North West Company employ in 1804. — Ed.
[172]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
entrance of the river of Fond dn Lac,40 at one o'clock in the
morning. At 4 o'clock I went to Mr Saver's41 Fort. I found
him still in bed and had the hon6r of breakfasting with him.
40 Fond du Lac was a term applied not only to the end of Lake
Superior, westward from Chequamegon, but also to the district
drained by St. Louis River and the other tributary streams of the
region. In fur-trade parlance, the Department of the Fond du Lac
embraced the upper waters of the Mississippi, and the posts upon
Red Cedar, Leech, and Sandy lakes. By mounting the St. Louis, there
was an easy portage, via the Savanna Rivers, to Sandy Lake, a
tributary of the upper Mississippi. The fur-trade took this route
during the French period; just how early the British began operating
upon this waterway, does not seem to easy to determine. Jean
Baptiste Perrault was here with Alexander Kay in 1784, and found
a North West wintering pest on St. Louis River. Jean Baptiste
Cadotte II was given charge of the Fond du Lac Department about
1790. He built a permanent post on the bay, where in 1796 two In-
dians were executed for murdering a white man. The North West
Company's post was probably on the same site. Local tradition
has given the place the name of "old fort;" it was at the base of
Connor's Point, not far from the present gas-works of Superior.
(We are indebted for this information to James Bardon, president of
the Superior Historical Society.) There the early pioneers of the
present city found the remains of a considerable post — several
hundred feet of stockade, and the ruins of a dock of cedar logs.
A visitor of 1807 describes the place as having an enclosure of sev-
eral acres, surrounded by a cedar picketing; two horses and several
cattle were kept, also a garden wherein was raised on three acres
"200 bushels of potatoes. There were one or more Chippewa villages
in the vicinity — one on the Minnesota side of the bay was designated
in 1789 as a "band of robbers." The importance of the post did not
consist, however, in the trade of the vicinity. It was a source of
supply for the entire Fond du Lac Department, and being located on
the portage between Superior and St. Louis bays, was well adapted to
its purpose. This North West post was abandoned after the law of
1816 forbidding British trading-houses on American soil. The Amer-
ican Fur Company located their post at the present village of Fond du
Lac, Minn. The remains of the old post at Connor's Point were noted
by Schoolcraft and Doty in 1820; the former says that it was aban-
doned about six years previous to his visit. See H. R. Schoolcraft,
Narrative Journal (Albany, 1821), p. 203. — Ed.
« John Sayer had long been connected with the fur-trade, as well
[173]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
He did me the favor of giving me a keg of sugar for a keg of
gum, which had been given me at Kamanaitiquoya instead of a
keg of sugar. At nine o'clock, I took leave of him and re-
joined my men at the entrance of the river.
20th Friday. I was unable to leave the River of Fond du
Lac yesterday because a heavy wind arose just as I was about
to embark. I did not start until this morning and had the sails
up all day. This evening we camp at the Eiver Ciscaouette.42
22nd Sunday. I was detained by rain and wind at my same
camp the whole of the day before yesterday, of yesterday, and
until noon today, and I was unable to have the canoes put in the
water before three o'clock, because the lake was too rough for a
long while. I went as far as Riviere a la Framboise ;43 I slept
as with the Fond du Lac Department. In 1780 he was at Mackinac,
agent for Joseph Howard of Montreal, and the following year presented
claims for goods seized for the St. Louis expedition; see Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, pp. 404-410. In 1784 Perrault found him at Fond du Lac.
In 1797-98 he was at Cass Lake, Minn., and the following year with
Jean Baptiste Cadotte on the Mississippi. In the summer of 1802 he
was at Leech Lake, and by the time Malhiot met him had become a
wintering partner in the North West Company, whose agreement with
X Y in 1804 he signed by attorney. Sayer appears to have resided
some time at Fond du Lac. A half-breed son, Guillaume Sayer, lived in
the Red River country, and in 1849 his arrest caused an outbreak
among the half-breeds of that region. — Ed.
42 This stream is now known as the Siskowit (English for ciscar
ouette). It is about fifty-five miles east of Duluth, in the present
Bayfield County, Wis. It was much used as a "loaded canoe" harbor,
since at its entrance there is a small slough that made a safe harbor.
The fine sand beach on the eastern side of the bay was a favorite
camping-ground of the Chippewa. Its Indian name was Kahpukme-
kah, and at this place occurred the tragedy to the family of Biauswa,
when killed and captured by the Outagami; see Minn. Hist. Colls.r
v, p. 127. The new town of Cornucopia is at the mouth of the
Siskowit. For this information, the Editor is indebted to Hon. Sam-
uel S. Fifield of Ashland. — Ed.
« The first mention that we have thus far seen, of this stream,
now known in translation as Raspberry River; it enters into a small
bay just east of Point Detour, about seventeen miles from Ashland.
Bayfield's chart of Lake Superior applies the name to what is now
1174]
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Selected from specimens in Museum of Wisconsin Historical Society
1804-05J
>
Malhiot's Journal
there and started tins morning at 4 o'clock. At 11 o'clock I ar-
rived here at La Pointe, Mr Cadotte's Fort.44 I decided to
Sioux River, entering the bay just west of Madelaine Island. Doty,
however, in the account of his voyage in 1820, mentions this stream
(see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiii, p. 201) in the same location given by
Malhiot, and doubtless this was the name usually given to it by
voyageurs. It is also found on a map of 1830. — Ed.
44 Cadotte's fort lay upon Madelaine Island, the largest of the
archipelago known as the Twelve Apostles — a title apparently sug-
gested by Father Charlevoix, on whose maps it first appears (1744).
Madelaine had a title of its own, of older origin, having been named
St. Michel, apparently by the early Jesuits in the seventeenth cen-
tury. This name persisted until the nineteenth century, when in
1820 Schoolcraft calls it "Michael's Island," doubtless thinking it had
taken its name from Michel Cadotte. Several other titles for this
island are found on early maps; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiii, p. 410,
note 2. The appellation Madelaine, not in use until the nineteenth
century, is said to have arisen from the Christian name of Cadotte's
wife, daughter of an important Indian chief of the neighborhood.
The site of Cadotte's trading establishment was on the south end of
the island, at what is now known as "Old Fort." The earlier French
fort, so long commanded by Denis de la Ronde, lay about three-
quarters of a mile northwest; see Thomas L. McKenney, Sketches of
a Tour to the Lakes (Baltimore, 1827), p. 265.
The first trading or wintering post in this region was probably
built in 1659 by Radisson and Groseilliers, but this was on the main-
land, to the southwest. The removal to the island was doubtless due-
to its good harbor and protected position. It was a prominent post
under the French regime, being usually called Chequamegon or La
Pointe du Chequamegon. The last French commandant was Hertel
de Beaubassin, for whom see ante, p. 45, note 81. The British gov-
ernment never rebuilt a fort at this place. The first British trader
was Alexander Henry, who came in 1765 and built his house on the
shore of the mainland, opposite the island; see Bain, Henry's
Travels, p. 191. Jean Baptiste Cadotte was Henry's partner, and his
sons re-established trade at this place. At what date Michel Cadotte
began his island trading post, is not certain. John Johnston was--
here in the latter part of the eighteenth century, but his post was on
the mainland, at the village of Waubojeeg, whose daughter he mar-
ried. Michel Cadotte resided permanently on Madelaine Island as
early as 1800; probably some years before this. At first an inde-
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spend the remainder of the day there to give the men time to
make themselves shoes for crossing the portage. I obtained
eighteen white fish from the Savages in exchange for tobacco.
I expressly forbade my people to trade their corn for fish.
24th Tuesday. This morning I started at 9 o'clock and at 11
I camped at Mauvaise Riviere45 because the wind was too strong
to allow of my continuing my journey. The son-in-law of "Les
pendent trader, he became associated with the North West Company,
and later with the South West, or American Fur Company. Selling
out in 1823 to his sons-in-law, the Warrens, the latter removed the
post about 1832 to the site known as "New Fort," on the western side
of the island. Around this grew up a considerable village which
took the name La Pointe. It was the county seat until 1872, when
that was removed to Ashland. The island is now much resorted to by
summer cottagers. — Ed.
45 Mauvaise (Bad) River is still known by that name, which it
acquired from the difficulties of its navigation. The Indian name was
Muskeego. It is about a hundred miles in length, and from its upper
waters easy portages are made to the Namekagan branch of the St.
Croix, and to the headwaters of the Chippewa; see Doty's map in
Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, p. 204. John Johnston describes this stream
in his "Lake Superior," in Masson, Bourgeois, ii, p. 167. He speaks
of the small sandy bay at its mouth, and the shore line thence to
Chequamegon Point (now an island), from which it is about six
miles to the river's mouth. In 1831 Schoolcraft, accompanied by
Douglass Houghton and Lieut. Robert E. Clary, ascended this stream
to its source. See Schoolcraft's description in Thirty Years with
Indian Trioes (Philadelphia, 1851), pp. 363-370. His official account
is in House Ex. Docs., 22nd Cong., 1st sess., vol. iv.
In 1845 Rev. L. H. Wheeler, Protestant missionary at La Pointe,
planned an agricultural settlement near the mouth of Bad River.
There the Indians had for many years been accustomed to make
spring gardens, and Wheeler taught them the rudiments of civilized
life. He named the settlement Odanah, and in 1854 it was set aside
as an Indian reservation. Later, the Roman Catholic mission on
Madelaine Island was likewise removed to the Bad River reserva-
tion, where in 1906 there were 1174 resident Indians. Considerable
money has been spent in improvements, including road- and bridge-
making, and the Indians receive a good income from the lease of log-
ging privileges. — Ed.
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Grandes Oreilles," called Remond, told me that they are camped
at the Montreal River46 and that "Le Genou" will not start for
Lac an Flambeau for some days. There are many pigeons here.
I killed 24.47
25th Wednesday. I started at half past 4 o'clock this morn-
ing from Riviere Mauvaise and arrived here, at the Portage of
the Montreal River48 at three quarters past nine o'clock. There
4«$ The name for this river is one of the oldest on the map of Lake
Superior, and probably was assigned to it by Duluth or some of the
Jesuits that preceded him. It is found on a map of 1688, and may
have originated from a fancied resemblance between the bluffs at the
mouth and the mountain at Montreal. Its Indian name seems to
have been Kawasidjiwong. A considerable falls occurs a few yards
above the mouth, v/hich is masked by high clay banks. Above the
falls there is a succession of rapids, not navigable even for canoes.
Montreal River came into prominence during the boundary adjust-
ment between Wisconsin and Michigan. It is said to have been first
suggested as a boundary line by Senator William C. Preston of South
Carolina, during the committee hearings on the admission of Michigan.
According to the map used by Preston, Montreal River took its rise
in Lac Vieux Desert, and very near the source of Menomonee River
of Green Bay. Upon survey in 1840 this was found incorrect (see
report of surveyor T. J. Cram in Senate Docs., No. 151, 26th Cong.,
2nd sess., vol. iv). In 1847 W. A. Burt, deputy surveyor, was sent
out by the federal land office to complete the survey and mark -th^e
boundary. See Wis. Hist. Colls,, xi, pp. 471 et seq.; Mich. Pion. and
Hist. Colls., xxx, pp. 253-261 — Ed.
47 These birds were the ectopistes migratorius, or passenger pigeons,
which formerly migrated in such great flocks that they darkened
the air, and with their weight broke the branches of trees on which
they roosted. McKenney, in his Tour of the Lakes (Baltimore, 1827),
p. 353, says that thousands perished every year in attempting to
cross Lake Superior, where its width was sixty miles. Although so
plentiful in the West, even up to forty years ago, the bird has now
become rare, due to these accidents and the wholesale operations of
pot-hunters. — Ed.
48 The Montreal River portage trail commenced on Lake Superior,
east of the mouth. After proceeding six or seven miles, over the
river's eastern bluff, it reached the stream at a point above the falls;
here crossing the river, the path continued up the southwest (left)
bank, at some distance back from the stream, apparently in order
12 [ 177 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
I found old "Les Grandes Oreilles" and "le Genou." The
latter told me he was greatly dissatisfied with the X Y's Fort.
There is not a single grain of corn to eat, no ammunition, and
pigeons are killed with sticks. I think, from what he said, that
he must have done something wrong to Chorette, or at least have
robbed him, for he said [of him], "Dog! you will be an object
for pity." The last words mean many things.
I heard from one of "le Genou' s" brothers, who left Lac au
Flambeau a week ago, that the Savages have been on the war-
path, that they are now hunting and that our people who spent
the summer in the interior were to start four days ago to come
and meet us.
I gave old "Les Grandes Oreilles" seven chopines of mixed
rum for nothing, because every spring he gives quantities of
fish to our people, when they come from the interior and more-
over, he is devoted to the North-West.
26th Thursday. I ordered the men to get ready to enter the
portage tomorrow. I gave each one a double handful of flour,
a pound of pork and a drink of rum as a treat. * * * I
gave "le Genou" 16 plus credit,49 after many supplications and
to head some of the smaller tributaries. It ended at what was then
known as Portage Lake, and there the canoes were kept en cache.
Portage Lake was probably that now known as Long Lake, in the
northeastern portion of Oneida County. The best description of the
portage is that given by James D. Doty, who accompanied Cass's
party to Lake Superior in 1820. His journal of the trip is given
in Wis. Hist. Colls., xiii, pp. 163-219. A letter written to Governor
Cass on his return to Detroit is printed in Id., vii, pp. 195-206, ac-
companied by a map. The trail is also indicated on a map published
in 1883 by the Wisconsin Geological Survey. — Ed.
40 "Plus" was a term expressing the monetary unit of the fur-
trade, and represented one good beaver skin; see Masson, Bourgeois,
i, p. 7. Malhiot therefore intends to say that he gave the Indian
"le Genou" (the Knee) goods on credit which were worth sixteen
beaver skins. The credit system was deeply entrenched in the fur-
trade, and the source of much trouble, as will be seen later in this
narrative. — Ed.
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fine promises to work for us next winter. I gave nearly as
much to his brother, "La Pourceline."
27th Friday. Our people from Lac an Flambeau, Tremble
Martineau, and Le Beau/'0 arrived here at six o'clock yesterday
evening with their baggage, decided to go on to Mr Cadotte at la.
Pojnte if they had not found another clerk to replace Gauthier.51
They are thin and emaciated like real skeletons. They say they
were more ill-treated than ever by Gauthier ; that half the time
they had nothing to eat, while he never passed a single day with-
out having a good meal ; that he is resolved to go and work for
the X Y if he is replaced by another ; further, that he has sworn
to kill Racicot for having written against him, and that there
would be murder before he left Lac au Flambeau ; that he is re-
solved to pull up all the clearings, that is to say the potatoes and
corn he had planted or caused to be planted ; finally, that he is
like a wild beast, and not a day passes without his swearing,
storming, and inveighing against those who wintered with him
last year. He has got only three packs of furs at the most, be-
sides one he traded for his own goods.
I will not undertake the portage today because these men
from the interior ask a day's rest. How weak they are! I
* * * I gave each of them a drink of shrub, two double
handfuls of flour, and two pounds of pork and they began to eat
with such avidity that I was twice obliged to take the dish away
from them, and, notwithstanding this, I feared for a long while
so Nothing more is known of these voyageurs than is here nar-
rated. Martineau's name was Ambrose. — Ed.
bi Charles Gauthier was probably a son of the interpreter and
Revolutionary participant mentioned ante, p. 5, note 17. The elder
Gauthier had sons by a Winnebago wife who were older than his
daughters, whose baptisms are recorded ante, pp. 78, 79. This son had
had some education, and was employed by the North West Company
before 1799 as clerk and interpreter; little is known of him, however,
beyond what is recorded in this journal. He married into the Chip-
pewa tribe, and many of the name of Gauthier still reside on Lac du
Flambeau reservation and at old Fond du Lac: see Frank A. Flower*
Eye of the Northwest (Superior, 1890), p. 43. — En.
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that injurious consequences would result; fortunately they all
escaped with slight twinges of colic.
28th Saturday. I started this morning from Lake Superior
with seven of my men to proceed at once to Lac au Flambeau.
I took with me a bale of merchandize, a roll of tobacco, 20
pounds of shot, 20 pounds of bullets, three quarters of a sack of
corn, a barrel of rum double-strength, and all my baggage. To-
day we did forty pauses.52 I left the remainder of my things
under the care and charge of Racicot. Durocher,53 who has
been poisoned with poison-ivy, is also with him; otherwise he
would have come with me with a load. * * * My toothache
is beginning again as bad as ever. * * * I gave my people
a small drink of shrub.
29th Sunday. Today we did only 20 pauses because I suf-
fered too much from toothache last night, and had to get my
head sweated this morning which soothed the pain a little. It
is now 4 o'clock in the afternoon and we are camping because
several of the men are complaining greatly of pains in their legs
and it is necessary to spare them. My toothache is a little
better than it was in the morning. I feel weak at times, owing
to my being unable to take any food. I gave my men a drink
of shrub.
62 During the fur-trade period, distances in the Northwest were
measured by the number of pauses (pronounced pozes), or times that
the voyageurs stopped to rest. A single pause was computed at
from 600 yards to a half mile, but this depended very largely upon
local conditions — the difficulty of the path, etc.; in hilly or swampy
country, the pauses were shorter. They had, however, become fixed
by constant usage, and each portage was spoken of as consisting of
so many pauses. The long Montreal River portage was reckoned at
120 pauses, or about forty-five miles. The load of each voyageur was
two packs, each of eighty to ninety pounds weight. — Ed.
53 Jacques Racicot was probably from a Boucherville family of that
name, in which the name of Jacques was frequent. Urbain Durocher
(Desroches) was probably from l'Epiphanie, since one of that
name returned thither, having married Malhiot's abandoned Indian
wife, whom he brought with him from Lac du Flambeau. After
the death of Durocher, she married one Pelletier. — Ed.
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31st Tuesday. We started at seven o'clock this morning and
at last, at one o'clock in the afternoon, we reached the end of the
Portage;54 the people were somewhat tired, and Bourbon had
severe pains in his legs. I sent them at once to get the canoes
that were cached, to have them gummed, and I made them
make paddles so as to be able to start tomorrow morning.
August 2nd Thursday. I started at 4 o'clock this morning
and arrived here at Fort du Flambeau at 3 o'clock in the after-
noon.55 I found Gauthier quite disconcerted, trembling, and
not knowing what to say. I read him the letter from Mr Wil-
liam McGillivray which frightened him still more and made
him shed tears. I gave him all the messages from Mr McGilli-
vray and Mr Sayer, remonstrated with him in every way, after
which he admitted his errors.
I have just made out a statement of everything that might
54 See ante, note 48.
The dates of the journal show that two days were spent in the
canoe journey from Portage (Long) Lake to Lac du Flambeau. The
party first made their way by a network of streams and lakes to
Turtle Lake, in northwestern Vilas County; thence by short portages
they reached Manitowish River (which Doty confuses with the outlet
of Lac Vieux Desert) ; they went eighteen miles down stream to the
Flambeau River, and up the last-named twenty-four miles to Lac du
Flambeau. The fort stood on the north side of the lake, probably
near the present Indian village, on the Lac du Flambeau reservation.
This reservation, although provided for by the treaty of 1854, was
not laid out and surveyed until nine years later.
Lac du Flambeau, or Torch Lake (Wauswagnining), took its name
from the custom of spearing fish by torchlight. It is not one, but
a group of connected or adjacent lakes. Apparently it was occupied
by the Chippewa before the close of the eighteenth century. The
central village and first chief of the band dwelt on this lake, which
has ever since been a continuous Indian residence. In 1908, Lac du
Flambeau was segregated from La Pointe, and made a separate
agency; the population that year was 784, of whom the major por-
tion lived on allotted lands. They have a day school on the reserva-
tion, and several villages, and are making progress in the arte of
civilization. — Ed.
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belong to the company56 and taken possession of the garden prod-
uce. I calculated that there were three packs of furs; be-
sides these were thirty deer, six beaver, one otter, one bear and
twenty-four muskrat skins (which he says he traded for with
his own goods). These I took possession of, but he will trade
them at the store if he decides to pass the winter with me and
will behave as an honest man should.
We are here without bread or biscuit and wait on Providence.
3rd Friday. This morning I proposed to Gauthier to go and
winter at Latonagane.57 I told him I would give him a small
56 The following list was not with the journal of Malhiot, but was
found by Masson among the papers of Roderick McKenzie:
"List of goods received from Gauthier, August 2, 1804: 1 chief's
coat, 1 linen shirt, 1 cotton shirt, 2 ornamented caps, 1 silk handker-
chief, y2 piece of ribbon, 1 looking glass with paper border, 3 large
knives, 2 dozen horn combs, 1 pack of cards, 3 pairs of scissors, 2
men's collars, y2 lb. vermilion, 3 doz. awls, 5 steels for striking fire,
12 wormers, y2 box wire for snares, 2 [boxes] medicine, 1 hat.
"Furs 4 bear skins, summer, 4 otter skins, summer, 6 marten skins,
summer, 218 musk-rat skins, 20 lbs. beaver-skins, 100 red deer skins.
"Tools and utensils of the Fort: 4 old axes, 3 augers, 7 old ket-
tles, 1 hand-saw, 1 plane. 1 hatchet-hammer, 1 piercer, 1 funnel, 1
old spigot, 2 old quart measures, 2 old half-pint measures, 1 old gill
measure, 5 tomahawks, 1 pair spear-heads, 1 old grenadier gun, 1
pistol, 1 old Bank line, 6 old nets only one of which can be used, 2
old rasps, 2 old files, 1 mattock, 1 hammer. Three old bark canoes
fit only for carrying sand or earth.
"(Signed) F. Vt. Malhiot."
57 Ontonagon River is one of the best-known streams on the south
shore of Lake Superior. Rising in the small lakes of the interior,
near the watershed between the Mississippi and Lake Superior
drainage basins, it collects numerous tributaries into two branches,
which unite eighteen miles above the lake, into which the river
pours a considerable volume of reddish, turbid water. It is navigable
for canoes for over thirty miles in high water, and connected by
easy portages with the source of Wisconsin River. In Malhiot's day,
a comparatively small, insignificant village of Chippewa dwelt at its
mouth, and was closely connected with the Lac du Flambeau band,
so that the trade was usually conducted from that point.
The early fame of Ontonagon River was due to the copper found
upon its banks; although the first known mention of the stream al-
[182]
. 1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
outfit without rum, but he would not consent because he says
there will be too much hardship there. He asked me to send
ludes to the large sturgeon fishery near its mouth. As early as 1665
reports of copper mines were sent out from Lake Superior by
voyageurs and Jesuit missionaries. In 1668 a considerable nugget was
sent first to the intendant Talon, and later to the king in France.
Hence, on one of the earliest maps, the river is designated "Nan-
tononagon or Talon," but the latter name soon disappeared. Aside
from the nuggets of copper found, there was a large boulder of
virgin copper lying upon the banks of the Ontonagon, some twenty-
five miles above its mouth. This caused the French to believe that
a copper mine might be discovered in the near vicinity. In 1735
Denis de la Ronde, then commandant at Fort Chequamegon, asked
the French government for experts to aid in locating these mines;
see report of one Corbin in Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, pp. 237-240.
Three years later, two German miners, father and son, named John
Adam Forster, explored this vicinity at the instance of La Ronde,
and made favorable reports thereon; Ibid., pp. 306-315. But a fierce
Indian war and the subsequent death of La Ronde, ended the mining
projects of the French in the Lake Superior district. The earliest
English attempt was that of Alexander Henry and his partners in
1772; see Bain, Henry's Voyages, pp. 225-229. Douglass Houghton,
in his famous geological report of 1841, alludes to this effort, and the
lack of scientific knowledge shown in making locations. From
Henry's time until the advent of Americans upon Lake Superior, no
further effort was apparently made to explore for copper mines.
Cass's expedition of 1820 ascended Ontonagon River to the "copper
rock," as is graphically described by Schoolcraft in his Narrative,
pp. 171-188; Governor Cass lost his way, however, and did not
reach the rock. Schoolcraft appends a view of the rock and the
river banks at this place. In 1841-43 an enterprising merchant of
Detroit succeeded in removing the rock from its place and carrying
it down the lakes. He purchased permission for this enterprise from
the Ontonagon Chippewa, whose chief he denominates as Okondokon.
The government made claim to the rock, however, and it was removed
to the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, where it now rests.
In 1842 the Chippewa disposed of their land on Lake Superior to the
government, and mining claims upon the Ontonagon River at once be-
gan to be filed. The later history of copper-mining in this vicinity
is well-known. The modern town of Ontonagon, with 1600 inhab-
itants, now lies at the mouth of the stream, on the site of the old
Indian village. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
him to the Eiver des Sauteux to work against La Lancette, but
I told him he would get no goods from me for that purpose, and
that I had other persons to send there. He then told me he
would go and winter with his wife's relatives and would obtain
goods from Little Mi[chel] Cadotte.58 I am to give him a
small canoe with food and ammunition to enable him to go
there. He complained very much of my having taken posses-
sion of the garden produce.
I have just sent Bazinet to a place three hours' march from
here where some of X Y's Savages are who have provisions.
My men are resting today ; tomorrow they will start to carry the
things over the portage. All the clearings I have been able to
see, look well. I got all the meat and furs Chorette's brother-
in-law could have, and my men learned there was a rumor that
the Savages wanted to go on the war-path.
4th Saturday. Bazinet arrived this morning with old Plat
Cote who gave me some quarters of deer-meat and some deer-
skins in exchange for rum. My people start at once for the
Montreal portage. George Yarns will command the march and
Raeicot have charge of the goods. Today I am sending Bazinet
to Ouiseconsaint59 to try and get the Best skins from the Sav-
ages and also a small quantity of wild rice. He takes with him
a small assortment of goods and three fourths of a keg of rum,
58 Michel Cadotte Jr. was born at his father's trading post on
Chippewa River, just above Chippewa Palls, in 1791. During the War
of 1812-15 he served with the British forces, especially acting as
guide and interpreter in the capture of Mackinac in 1812. He was
afterwards in the battle of the Thames, where he was wounded and
lost one arm. He continued in the Indian trade, and in 1843 Alfred
Brunson met him at his brother-in-law's post on the Chippewa River.
He was living at La Pointe as late as 1852. His nephew, William
Warren, in Minn. Hist. Colls., v, pp. 372-377, tells an interesting story
of young Cadotte interpreting for the chief Keeshkenum (his grand-
father) at Mackinac, when the latter asserted his adherence to the
American cause, but desired to remain neutral in the war. — Ed.
bo Probably somewhere in the vicinity of Tomahawk Lake, the
nearest point on the Wisconsin River to Lac du Flambeau. The form
Ouisconsaint is a rare phonetic spelling for this stream. — Ed.
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double strength. I am sending Bourbon with him because he
has pains in his legs and is unable to do his duty in the portage,
and I remain to keep the fort with Beaulieu, a Montreal man,
who has decided to spend the winter with me, after promising
me not to drink any rum, to work like an honest man, and not
to set foot on the X Y premises during the winter.
5th Sunday. Yesterday evening I got twelve deer skins from
old La Pierre a affiler in exchange for some rum. He assured
me had had nothing more and would have nothing to give his
son-in-law Chorette if he came. I am sending Gauthier and
Beaulieu to one of the sons of old La Chouette to get what furs
and provisions he may have. I remain alone in the Fort and
my loneliness may be imagined.
6th Monday. Gauthier returned last night without having
been able to see the Savages. This morning I got the meat of a
bear from old La cremaillere.
Bazinet and Gauthier made me pass with the Savages as Mr
M°Gillivray?s brother and as one of the proprietors of the Com-
pany. This has had a very good effect so far, for they never
call me anything but their "Father." I am inclined to think
they will respect me more than they would otherwise have done,
and will deem it an honor to trade with me next winter.
Therefore, far from reprimanding Bazinet and Gauthier and
forbidding them to say such things, I approved of what they
had done and I have reason to hope that the gentlemen will find
nothing wrong in it and not be disgraced by my temerity, for it
is in their interest. My only object in this is to obtain good re-
turns and not the glory of passing for what I am not. More-
over, if I deem myself honored by passing as the brother of the
chief agent of the Xorth and the partner of his partners, they,
on the other hand need not consider their dignity in any way
disgraced or vilified, for I am the son of a respectable gentle-
man and rich in sentiment and honor.
8th Wednesday. The wife of old "La Chouette" came last
evening and made me a present of four pieces of dried meat. I
am sending a brasse of tobacco to her husband to distribute
among his children and his people.
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Until now, owing to lack of time and to sickness, I have been
unable to make any observations on the country and the Savages,
but as I am better today I will begin by saying that of all the
spots and places I have seen in my thirteen years' of travels, this
is the most horrid and most sterile. The Portage road is truly
that to heaven because it is narrow, full of overturned trees, ob-
stacles, thorns, and muskegs. Men who go over it loaded and
who are obliged to carry baggage over it, certainly deserve to be
called "men."
This vile portage is inhabited solely by owls, because no other
animal could find a living there, and the hoots of those solitary
birds are enough to frighten an angel or intimidate a Caesar.
As to Lac du Flambeau it is worthier of the name of swamp
than of lake and at this season it would be easier to catch bull-
frogs in the nets than fish. I have had the nets set three times
since my arrival without catching a fish. Today I am sending
Gauthier to cast his nets in another lake; perhaps we shall get
fiome craw-fish. With regard to the river I will never call it
anything but a small stream, because in many places a mouse
could cross it without wetting its belly. * * * All the
Savages I have seen so far seemed to me to be good providers ;60
another time, when I shall have seen them all, I will speak of
them more at length.
9th Thursday. Le Petit Forgeron, a Savage from the Vieux
Desert01 came here yesterday evening. I traded with him and
eo The French is, "faire de bon Besthia." This must be a local word.
Not one of our dictionaries (including those of Canadian, Breton, and
Norman patois) has it. It may come from bestial, bestiaux, cattle.
I have translated it good providers (i. e., good cattle, or useful people
for us). Further I translate the same word as "Brutes." This is of
course but conjecture. — Crawford Lindsay, translator.
81 The term Vieux Desert has often been mistranslated as Lake of
the Desert, "the old deserted place," etc. Doty was more nearly cor-
rect in speaking of it, as "Old Plantation;" see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii,
p. 202. The term in Canadian-French means an old clearing, and was
a translation in its turn of the Indian term Gete Kitilgan — old land
under cultivation. The remains of cultivation can still be seen on
the principal island in this lake, upon which the Wisconsin-Michigan
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got 4 beaver, 2 otter, one beaver and two dressed moose skins.
I gave him on credit five pins of ammunition and tobacco and he
is not to return until autumn. At last we have caught five carp
and a Masquinonge02 in our nets this morning; but Gauthier
had to stay out all night with Beaulieu, my Montreal man.
They killed four partridges.0" What a miracle!
boundary line impinges. Lac Vieux Desert is one of the oldest sites
■on the map of Wisconsin. It was there that in 1661 Father Rene"
Menard waited two weeks for the Huron who had deserted him, only
later to lose his life upon Wisconsin River which issues from this
lake; see Henry Colin Campbell, "Father Menard," in Parkman Club
Papers, No. 11. The name first appears on a map of 1718 prepared by
Ouillaume de l'lsle from the memoirs of those who had visited this
country; it is, however, there erroneously made the source of one
branch of the Chippewa (or "Bons Secours") River, and it was so
represented throughout the French period. In 1820, Doty makes it
the source both of one branch of the Chippewa, and the Menominee
of Green Bay. The map used by the makers of the boundary between
Michigan and Wisconsin gave Lac Vieux Desert as the source of the
Montreal, and it was thus made a cardinal point in the northeast
boundary of Wisconsin. It was not until Cram's survey of 1840 that
the true position of this lake as the source of Wisconsin River was
determined. Thence it was made the starting point of the survey of
1847 that finally marked the boundary. The Indian village was ap-
parently on the north side of the lake; Cram calls it "Katakitakon."
While engaged in his survey, the chief of this band, whom he names
Cashaosha, opposed his progress until given a written promise that
the right of way should be purchased by the government. In reality
the land had all been sold to the United States by the treaty of 1842;
but the chief again threatened to oppose Burt's survey of 1847, until
mollified by valuable presents. In 1854 a treaty at La Pointe allotted
a considerable reservation for this band, then spoken of as large and
important. It is now consolidated with the band of Anse Keweenaw,
living on a reservation at the latter place, on the upper peninsula of
Michigan. — Ed.
62 Masquinonge is the Chippewa form of the word now usually given
as muskallunge, or maskalonge. Its significance is great pike, or
pickerel, and is applied to the fish known to science as esox nobilior,
a frequenter of the northern Wisconsin lakes. — En.
•8 The "perdrix," here translated as partridge, must have been one of
two birds: the Canadian spruce grouse, canachites canadensis canace,
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The squirrels are doing much damage in the corn fields ; they
ate 77 ears last night.
1 1th Saturday. Old "Lachouette" came here last night with
his band. I gave him a small keg of four pots for nothing.
We had a great deal of trouble last night owing to the liquor.
They quarreled among themselves ; we quarreled with them and
almost came to blows. For a trifle I would retract, did I not
fear to be inconsistent, and I would say they are very bad ras-
cals. All the Savages I had seen before them were reputed bad,
knavish, and addicted to thieving; I found them gentle, well-
behaved, polite and docile. These last passed for being good,
affable, and interested in the Tort, and I found them detestable.
Nevertheless, they made many apologies to me in the morning,
saying that such a thing had never happened to them, that they
were too drunk — the usual excuses of such black dogs! I
threatened old "La Chouette" telling him I would not give him
his flag, and I made Gauthier deliver him a harangue suited to
his conduct. I am very sorry to be obliged to note here that I
did not find Gauthier resolute enough with the Savages as a
man should be.
1 3th Monday. Providence has been pleased to succor us for
- this morning, we caught in our nets twenty-eight carp and four
sun-fish.64
I am quite decided, if I am destined to winter at this post
next year, to ask Mr William McGillivray for a good Sauteux in-
terpreter, an honest man and resolute in dealing with the tribes.
The interests of the Company absolutely require it because,
every autumn, rum must be given to get provisions. And what
are two men to cope with sometimes forty or fifty Savages under
the influence of liquor and inclined to evil deeds. Were it pos-
Linn.; or, the ruffled grouse, bonasa umbellus, Linn. Both are common
in the pine districts, where not exterminated, and both are commonly
called partridge. There is no basis to determine which of these the
traders killed. — Pbof. George Wagner.
«* The French word for this fish is crapaix, i. e., crapets, sunfish,
lepomis gibbosus. — Crawford Lindsay, translator.
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sible to gather all the French of the post together at such mo-
ments, there would be nothing to fear, but unfortunately they
are still in the portage, and, during this time of calamity, Bazi-
net is sometimes in one village, sometimes in another trying to
get a sack of wild rice.65
"But," you may say, "how does he manage V I answer that
he runs no risk because he arrives at a village, I suppose, with
a keg of rum. He finds the Savages sober ; he gets from them
10 or 11 sacks of wild rice for which he gives his keg, then he
leaves at once and is rid of them, but it is different at the
Fort.06
14th Tuesday. Durocher, one of my men, came here at three
o'clock in the afternoon with the youngest son67 of Mr Mi [chel]
Cadotte, whom I asked of his father at Fort Kamanaitiquoya,
He comes to spend the winter with me to learn to read, and
es While having a wide habitat in the United States, wild rice
(zizania aquatica) is particularly a plant of northern Wisconsin and
Minnesota, and a staple food with the Indians of that region. It was
probably due to this prevalence that so large an Indian population
dwelt on the headwaters of the Mississippi, St. Croix, Chippewa, and
Wisconsin rivers. On this and the method of harvesting the grain,
see Albert E. Jenks, "Wild Rice Gatherers of the Upper Lakes," in
American Bureau of Ethnology Report, No. 19. Jenks gives a chapter
to the use of this product by the whites, and shows how dependent the
fur-traders were upon its purchase. It is still used by whites, and
forms an article of commerce in the northern Wisconsin towns, but is
always garnered by Indians. The sacks in which it was placed were
usually made from the skin of some small animal, such as a fawn,
but were often woven from rushes. The price of a bushel was usually
a plus, or about $2. One Indian family can harvest, cure, thresh, and
winnow from five to twenty-five bushels in the early autumn, mostly
during September, which is known as the "wild rice moon," or month.
The fur-traders called the Chippewa who used this grain, Folles
Avoine (Wild Oats) Sauteurs; and the territory between the St.
Croix and Lac du Flambeau was early known as the Folles-Avoine
district. — Ed.
ee Intoxicating liquor was lavishly dispensed during the struggle
with the X Y. — Masson.
67 Probably the person mentioned ante, p. 184, note 58 —Ed.
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serve me as interpreter when necessary. If I teach him French,
he will teach me Saultenx in return. His father came himself
to bring him to the Portage with Mr Leon St Germain,68 who
went on to Latonaganne to get wild rice.
Racicot sent me a keg of rnm double strength, by Durocher,
foreseeing that I should need it. He wrote to tell me that Gen-
eral Chorette arrived at last on the 8th instant at the Portage
with his aide-de-camp Lalancette and ten men hired to work.
They have sixty packages of trade goods destined for this post.
Racicot says he counted them. They fired small shot at Mr Ca-
dotte when he passed near them on Lake Superior, but I pre-
sume they were intoxicated at the time.
From all appearances, I think none of them entered the Eiver
des Sauteux, and I am sorry for it, because the more their goods
are scattered the more they would waste and the less we should
have to fear them. All that the Savages told me about Mr- Ca-
dotte [Chorette] on the subject, while I was on the lake with
them, is altogether untrue, for the three canoe loads are entering
here, and one Lamarche has arrived from the Grand Portage
with another canoe load to work against Mr- Cadotte at la
Pointe. This morning I sent back Durocher to rejoin his
traveling companions. We caught nothing this morning in the
nets. * * . * One day of abundance and ten days of famine !
16th Thursday. Today I gave Gauthier some goods for the
furs he had in the store. I cannot send him to set the nets be-
cause his wife is being confined. He told me yesterday evening
that he would never go to Port Kamanaitiquoya if he thought
he would not find Mr Sayer there ; that he hoped for everything
es During this period there were in the Northwest several traders
named St. Germain. Possibly the one here mentioned was he who
served as Chippewa interpreter during the War of 1812-15. He visited
Grand Portage, endeavoring to enlist the Chippewa of Lake Superior
in the contest. He was commended for keeping his detachment from
plundering. Leon St. Germain entered the American Fur Com-
pany in 1819, being employed at Lac du Flambeau at a salary of $2400.
He was closely associated with the Cadotte family, having married a
daughter of the elder Michel. — En.
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from that gentleman ; protection etc. etc, and would rather de-
scend the River des Sauteux in the spring in the hope of meeting
people from Michilimakinac69 there, and obtaining an outfit
from them. I calmed him down and made him take other reso-
lutions, telling him that if he acted thus it would be a mani-
fest proof that he was guilty, and that the proper thing for him
to do was to go to Fort Kamanaitiquoya, and explain to our
Gentlemen all that had occurred, etc. etc. In the end he agreed
with me and resolved to go there and ask pardon.
17th Friday. The heat is excessive, such as we have not had
this summer, and, strange to say, there is frequently frost at
night, which, in my opinion is not very good for the crops ; and
we could easily dispense with sickness, having famine. 0 !
wretched people of Lac du Flambeau, everything is against
you ! Little to eat, much work to do ; sometimes ill, uncertain
of obtaining returns, with reproaches to be dreaded from the
Partners, anxiety about the goods out of the fort, Savages to
satisfy, and adversaries to watch. What a life ! ! "Poor Mal-
hiot, when will you be relieved of such a heavy burden ? I have
cast your nativity.70 If he who has always protected you so far
and has been a second father to you, kindly continues his good
graces and covers you with his mantle, you will be sheltered
from the weather and will soon be rewarded for all your labor
and discomfort."
19th Sunday. Bazinet arrived from Ouisseconsaint yesterday
69 A company of traders against whom the bourgeois [of the North
West Company] were competing to the south of Lake Superior. That
company joined Mr. John Jacob Astor some years later. — Masson.
Comment by Ed. — This was the Mackinac Company, whose history
is briefly sketched in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 339, 340. Their head-
quarters were at Mackinac, with a secondary rendezvous at Prairie
du Chien. They sent traders up the Chippewa, although it is not
known that they had a post thereon. The Mackinac Company traded
largely with the Sioux, from whom they secured their best returns.
The North West Company had very little Sioux trade.
™ The French is "tirer ton horoscope", that is, have your future pre-
dicted by astrology. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
evening at 6 o'clock. His returns are not what I had expected,
but if all the goods I send out between now and the spring yield
as good returns I shall not have much to complain of. He re-
ports that the Savages stabbed one another during the drinking
bout, and that he would have been killed had it not been for
"rOutarde." He never ceases praising that good Savage to
me, saying that he would not touch the rum; and, during the
whole time the Savages were intoxicated, he remained armed
and walked to and fro in front of the tent door.
Not one devil among them intends to give three deer hides
for a plus, and, to avoid displeasing them, I am obliged to do
like my adversary who takes two for a plus. We have just
heard several gun-shots in the direction of Chorette's fort71
which leads us to presume that His Lordship has just landed.
20th Monday. The wife of old "La Chouette" and one of
his daughters came this morning. I got some deer skins and 2
bear skins from them. Two hours after their arrival they went
to Chorette's but were thrown out by Lalancette who was then
as drunk as a hog. He said to them : aGo away ! Go to your
Father, the Great Trader. Let him give you drink ; as for us,
we are slaves and have no rum." * * * Poor Brutes!72
do they think, like the Savages, that I am really one of the part-
ners of the North West Company !
23rd Thursday. Yesterday evening at eight o'clock, Chorette
passed here and told Bazinet he had been unable to see the
Savages ; we think the wounded are dead and that is why they
delay. I think I will send some one to meet them tomorrow to
make sure of the little provisions they have. I learned this
morning from several Savages that one L'etang73 had entered
71 There does not seem to be any data to determine the site of the
X Y Company's post. As it was abandoned upon the consolidation
of the companies, or over one hundred years ago, its site is probably
now unmarked. — Ed.
72 The French word is here the unknown term "Besthias," referred
to ante, p. 186, note 60. — Ed.
73 This person, whose name is also spelled Le Temps, but was prob-
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the River des Sauteux with one canoe load. This completes my
conviction that the 60 packages Chorette has with him are in-
tended for this post.
24th Friday. Gauthier, having been asked by Chorette to go
and see .him, went there with my permission to ascertain what
he wanted. At the same time, I wanted to test him and see
whether he would drink, but I have the consolation of being able
to say that he came back quite sober and I like to think that he
will keep the promises he has made me.
We are threatened with a famine because the Savages abso-
lutely want to go on the war-path ; consequently they will put the
greater portion of their rice in caches, and we shall find our-
selves with very little, which we shall have to purchase at its
weight in gold.
25th Saturday. Thirty canoes arrived here at noon. Chor-
ette's Savages made me a present of 3 sacks of wild rice for
which I gave them a large keg of rum and a brasse of tobacco.
I gave "le Muffle d'Orignal'm a coat and harangued him as fol-
io vvs :
"Kinsman — I am quite willing to forget what thou didst last
year and to believe it was not thy fault that we did not get all
thy furs, but do not act in the same way in future. The coat I
give thee today will show thee the path thou must follow. * * *
I rely on all thy promises; be not double-faced. I would like
to have not only thy furs but also thy corn. I have many
children to feed. Moreover it would soil thy body to carry a
single grain of corn to the other fort. My orders from our
ably identical with the Canadian-French name L'Estang, was an oppo-
sition trader on Red Lake, in the present Minnesota, in 1798. He
appears to have settled finally in that state, although a family bearing a
similar name resided during the eighteenth century at Cahokia. — Ed.
74 "Le muffle d'Orignal" (moose's muzzle) must have been the chiet
known as Mozoboddo ( Monsobodouh) , who succeeded his father Keesh-
kenum, one of the noted Chippewa chiefs, the first settler at Lac du
Flambeau. Keeshkenum was still alive in 1S27, but very old, and died
soon thereafter, when Mozoboddo was invested with the chieftainship.
He in turn died about 1832, and was succeeded by White Crow. — Ed.
13 [ 193 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Father at Kamanaitiquoya were for thee as for all the others.
I was to give thee nothing this autumn and to wait until I knew
thee. But, from what thou hast just told me and from what the
French have told me, I am ohliged to act as I am doing. Take
courage therefore and think of thy Fort."
I gave 4 kegs, of four pots and one of six to these various
savages for nothing, because they are devoted to the Fort and
are good hunters.
27th Monday. I sent Bazinet to meet my people in the Port-
age with two of his brothers-in-law, to bring me 4 kegs of rum,
double strength.
28th Tuesday. Several of Chorette's Savages came here last
night to get rum and to use violence. For a long while I may
say, making use of an expression among the lower orders in
Canada, that "L did not hnoiv whether I was eating pork or
pig" * * * I was alone with Gauthier and they were at
least 15 rascals all armed; those who had no knives or spears,
had sticks or stones. Fortunately we all got off with calling
one another names and threatening one another. "Le Taureau"
came and told us that "1'Outarde" would soon arrive.
30th Thursday. The Savages were making medicine all
night and never stopped smoking for war.75
31st Friday. At last "POutarde" arrived at noon with a fol-
lowing of 15 canoes of his people. I had not a drop of rum to
offer him. He asked me where Bazinet was and I told him he
had gone to the Portage, and would not be back until tonight or
tomorrow night because he was afraid to pass the village of Lac
du Flambeau in the day time lest he might be robbed ; that we
7 5 A large literature exists on the subject of "making medicine,"
or the religious and magic rites of the Chippewa. An interesting
early description of the consultation with their tutelary spirits is
found in Bain, Henry's Travels, pp. 66-69. The entire subject of what
the Jesuit missionaries called sorcery, and others name jugglery, as
well as the great religious society found among the Chippewa, is dis-
cussed in Walter J. Hoffman, "The Midewiwin, or Grand Medicine So-
ciety, of the Ojibwa" in U. S. Bureau of Ethnology Report, vii,
pp. 149-299.— Ed.
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had been nearly killed, etc. He rushed out at once and deliv-
ered the following harangue : "What have you done, you people
of Lac du Flambeau ? Why have you come to worry my Trader,
and have you threatened to kill him and steal his goods ? I did
not ask him to come here to be the sport of Savages or to be com-
pelled to feed or treat you. You have your own Trader; get
what you want from him. He has rum ; let him give you some,
and make him give you some. He has some etc. etc." I looked
at him while he was speaking. He looked like a soldier. He
re-entered a moment afterward and said to me : "No, no, Bazinet
will not be robbed," and he at once commanded with authority
three young men to go and meet him.
September 2nd Sunday. "L'Outarde" told me yesterday he
would do all in his power to prevent the Savages from going on
the war-path, because if they went I should get no furs. It has
been raining since noon yesterday, and Bazinet has not turned
up. The Savages find the time longer than I do.
3rd Monday. Bazinet arrived at 4 o'clock yesterday after-
noon with the goods he had gone to get. I gave a coat to "l'Ou-
tarde" and also his flag, and one to "la Grande Loutre." I gave
a laced capot to "le Grand Canard," and another to the Lieuten-
ant of "La Loutre," and to each his share of rum. I delivered
the following harangue to "POutarde."
"Kinsman — The coat I have put on thee is sent thee by the
Great Trader; by such coats he distinguishes the most highly
considered persons of a tribe. The Flag is a true symbol of a
Chief and thou must deem thyself honored by it, because we do
not give them to the first comers among the Savages. One must
do as thou dost to get one, that is : love the French as thou dost,
watch over their preservation and enable them to make up packs
of furs.
"My orders were to give thee nothing this autumn, and to wait
until the spring that I might know thee, but, on account of all
the good things I have heard of thee from the French, I did not
hesitate a moment to make thee glorious, for I am convinced
thou wilt always be the same for the Fort; that thou wilt take
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
care of my young men, that no dog may bite them,76 and that
they will never come back ashamed when they go to thy lodges.
"As first chief of the place, thou must make every effort so
that all the Savages may come and trade here in the spring; it
will be a glory to thee to send the canoes full to the Grand Port-
age."
"Remember that the name of the Great Trader78 is on the flag.
Wherever thou may est go, to no matter which one of his Forts,
thou wilt be received with open arms, and he cannot give thee a
greater token of his friendship. He has listened to thy com-
plaints and is very sorry Gauthier drank thy rum last year. I
can assure thee, comrade, that it will be different this year.
"And ye, all of ye, look at me. See the Trader who is sent
to you ! I am he whom you asked for. This summer, I re-
ceived three messages from three chiefs of the prairies79 to go
back and winter in their lands, but I refused in order that our
Great Trader might speak truly, who wished to send me here to
do you a charity and not to be despised. Nevertheless I have
no reproaches to address you because this is the first time I see
you. Be devoted, therefore, to your Fort; take care of it;
guard its doors and next spring I will send good news of you
to our Father."
4th Tuesday. We had quarrels all day with the Savages of
Lac du Flambeau ;80 spears, knives, hatchets, etc, all were
76 a figure to express the desire that no misfortune shall happen
to them. — Ed.
77 Used to indicate the general rendezvous, which had long been at
Grand Portage, but was in process of removal to Kaministiquia. See
ante, p. 166, note 23.— Ed.
The head of the North West Company, William McGillevray. — Ed.
79 Referring to his previous post on Assiniboine River; see sketch
of Malhiot, ante, p. 165— Ed.
so The village of Lac du Flambeau would seem, by inference from
this relation, to have been attached to the X Y Company; while Mal-
hiot, for the North West Company, relied upon the trade of the out-
lying villages. This description of a drunken fray is characteristic
-of the fur-trade journals, especially during the period of great competi-
tion. See J. Long, "Voyages," in Thwaites, Early Western Travels
(Cleveland, 1904), ii— Ed.
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brought into play. They made a breach in the Fort, broke one
of the doors and had it not been for the aid of "POutarde," of
fFEpauIe de Canard," and two or three young men who were
quite sober at the time, there would certainly have been blood-
shed and even somebody killed on one side or the other..
"L'Outarde" had his head cut open with a blow from a stickr
and so had one of his young men. I thanked God he had no
knife during the fight, for he would assuredly have killed some-
body. There were 5 or 6 at him, and I expected every moment
to see him pass from this world to the other. He really looked
like a madman, uttering yells that would frighten any one and
calling out to me from time to time : "Take courage, Father !
Strike everywhere — hit ! kill !" After a two hours quarrel we
succeeded in getting those wild beasts out of the Fort.
5th Wednesday. The Savages of Lac du Flambeau finished
their noise only at nine o'clock last night, and to sign the treaty
of peace I gave them a keg of four pots and a brasse of tobacco.
"L'Outarde" was only half pleased at this and he wanted very-
much to begin the fight again. Today all is calm. They are
sleeping soundly. These Savages of Lac du Flambeau do not
belong to 'TOutarde's" band.
6th Thursday. I sent Bazinet to distribute a keg of rum
among the lodges. "L'Outarde" and 5 of his young men are
continually in the Fort, quite sober, and so is "l'Epaule de
Canard," to prevent and stop all quarrels that might arise.
7th Friday. The end of this drinking bout was very quiet;
we slept from one o'clock until this morning ; we greatly needed
it for we had not lain down since the 3rd instant.
10th Monday. The Savages are beginning to leave. May
they all be gone soon ! "L'Outarde" started yesterday with his
young men to gather wild rice at lac de la Truite where his
village is.81
si Trout Lake (Lac de la Truite) is in Vilas County, just east of
the Flambeau reservation. It is said that when the Chippewa moved
down into the interior of the country, somewhere near the middle of
the eighteenth century, they tarried awhile at Trout Lake, before pass-
ing to Lac du Flambeau on the west. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
12th Wednesday. A band of the rascals who are camped here
near the Fort have gone to camp at the village of Lac du Flam-
beau, until my people come.
14th Friday. Yesterday I got 4 sacks of rice from Folle
Avoine for which I gave him half a keg of rum and half a
brasse of tobacco. The rum was drunk last night at the lodges
of Lac du Flambeau, notwithstanding all I could do and say,
for I hoped that devil of a Savage would have taken it to his
own grounds as he had promised me. Fortunately, drunk as
they were, they did not come and ask me for more. A Great
Miracle !
16th Sunday. Three of old "Lachouette's" young men ar-
rived here yesterday at four o'clock in the afternoon, and four
others, from Lac de la Folle,82 from whom I got 3 sacks of rice.
The wind blew and rain fell to an extraordinary degree today.
The Savages overwhelm us ; we cannot set our nets, and we con-
stantly eat our rice with water only. A fine and good dish!
dogs would get thin on it.
21st Friday. It rained from Sunday until noon yesterday.
This morning Chorette arrived with four of his men carrying
loads and he told us the portages were horribly bad.
23rd Sunday. I received a letter from my people this morn-
ing ; they are still in the great Portage. Through their laziness
they ran short of food and went to trade for some at la Tortue's
village.83 I sent Bazinet to meet them and hurry them on and
I wrote them the following letter,
"Racicot, — I have just received your letter by "La Loche"
and I am surprised at its contents. What! people with four-
teen and fifteen hundred livres wages take two months to come
82 An abbreviation for Lac de la Folle Avoine, or Wild Rice Lake.
Jenks, op. cit., pp. 1115-1126, enumerates fifteen or more lakes in
northern Wisconsin named for the rice growing therein. There are
several in Vilas County alone; the nearest to Lac du Flambeau that
now keeps the name is Little Rice Lake, in township 42 north, range 7
east, northeast of Trout Lake. — Ed.
Probably on the lake known as Turtle Lake, on the Montreal
River portage. — Ed. ^
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through the Montreal Portage! Children that ye are! people
on whom no reliance can be placed.84 Men coming from Mont-
real this year could have done as much as you ! You have not
enough sense to know the injury you are doing the Company by
your delay. ISTow you find yourselves in bad roads and whose is
the fault ? Say, say that your hearts are not in the right place
and that you did not wish to do your duty.
"You, Eacicot, who were about to be promoted and enter into
office, why did you not command the others and make them push
on by force or by gentle means ? ]STo doubt you were very glad
to sleep with your face to the sun like the others. If you have
been without food, it is your own fault also, and what would
you have to say now, if I made you pay for the rum you gave to
purchase food! You ask me for Durocher; work a miracle,
cure him and he will go and warm your beds !
F. Vt. M. l. o."
26th Wednesday. The Savages pester me and my provisions
are disappearing like straw in the fire. I am eager to have
Bazinet come so as to get rid of them. The rascals are so
crowded together in my house, especially in the last five or six
days, that they have given me vermin and the more I change my
shirt the more vermin I have. It is the same with Gauthier.
We hardly have time to put a kettle of rice on the fire before 50
of those dogs are around us asking for some even before it is
boiled. Our beards will soon be as long as billy-goats ; and we
are devoured by farcy.
27th Thursday. "L'Epaule de canard" has just arrived with
30 beaver skins ; the traps he got from me a few days ago are
broken.
28th Friday. My people came in at last at 4 o'clock yester-
day evening. ~No sooner were the goods put in the store than I
hegan to unpack them and to give some on credit to the Savages
of the Yieux Desert who started at one o'clock this morning.
The original French reads, "gens de peu de fiate," a local French-
Canadian expression, implying that no reliance can be placed in such
a person or such a thing. — Crawford Lindsay.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xi*
"L'Aigle"85 left me his pipe-stem with a porcelain collar to be
handed to Mr MacGillivray in the sppring, and he told me he
was a straightforward man and left his pipe-stem at the Fort as
a token of his sincerity. I gave him a large keg and made the
following speech to him :
"Kinsman, — It alfords me much pleasure to smoke with thy
pipe-stem and to receive thy word. Our Great Trader at Ka-
ra anaitiquoy a will, I hope, receive it in the spring with satisfac-
tion and will send thee a token of his friendship if thou con-
tinuest to do well. * * * Take courage therefore ; be but
one with us and look at the Fort of the X Y only from afar if
thou wishest to obtain what thou desirest."
I also gave a laced capot to Barsaloux with a half keg of rum
and a large keg to "POutarde" to be distributed in his village in
exchange for rice.
I forgot to state above that while Bazinet was passing through
la Tortue's village with all the goods, he gave away two large
kegs of rum there for which he got only two sacks of rice. My
cask of shrub was stolen from him and he gave two quarts of
rum, double strength, to get it back. He also gave goods on
credit to several Savages to whom I would not have given a
needle.
I shall take this opportunity to speak of Bazinet according to
his merits and to say that he is truly an honest man, as careful
as possible of goods on a journey, eager to push on, taking the
interests of the Company, working to excess in a fort, a famous
hand at going out to meet the Savages and trade with them,86 but
too timid with them, for if a rascal were to look somewhat fix-
edly at him, he could make him give up his trousers. Such be-
ing the case, I maintain that he would be very capable under an-
85 perhaps this was the chieftain known as Gitshee Migeezee (Great
Eagle), who signed the treaty of 1826, and was said to be from
Ontonagon. — Ed.
86 The French phrase, a common one among fur-traders, is "courir
la drouine," which means to go with the savages to their winter
hunting grounds and trade with them there, instead of waiting for
their return to the post. — Ed.
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other, but would be useless as head man of a post. He is a
good hand at going out to meet the Savages and trade with
them because the quantity of goods is never great and he al-
ways manages to defend himself on the person who employs him.
29th Saturday. Barsaloux came back this morning and so
did "la Grue Blanche." They say they were wrecked, and I
am obliged to give them fresh goods on credit so as not to lose
all. They left me their collars as pledges. Today I obtained
from the son of "La Pierre a Affiler" four sacks of rice for
which I gave him a half keg of rum. I gave my people a
feast.
30th Sunday. My people got very drunk yesterday and,
through fear, the Savages stopped drinking. Today I sent
three of my men to Lac de la Truite to get rice and two others to
old "La Chouette's" for the same purpose. Chorette left this
morning to go and rejoin his people in the Portage.
October 3rd, Wednesday. Old "La Chouette" arrived here
yesterday with his band. I obtained from him the promise that
they would not drink in my Port. He left this morning quite
pleased with his Plag and so were all his followers. A number
of Savages of Lac du Flambeau were at the water's edge where
he embarked and, at my request, he did not give them a single
dram.
4th Thursday. I have just sent olf Bazinet for Ouissecon-
saint with an outfit of 3i pieces of cloth, 4 kegs of rum, double
strength, one of powder etc., etc. I am sending Racicot with
him because the majority of the Savages to whom I have
given credit are to winter there and he will be only too neces-
sary there, as he can read, to make out all the credits and also to
help Bazinet when the Savages are in liquor, for, I repeat it
with regret, the poor devil has no more resolution than a child.
5th Friday. I have just taken an inventory of the furs I
have traded since my arrival here and I counted : 528 deer skins,
840 musk-rat skins, 107 lbs. Beaver, 44 otter skins, ,T6 bear
skins, 7 marten skins, 1 mink skin — the whole making probably
sixteen packs. This autumn trade has greatly reduced my stock
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
of goods so that I am unable to send any into the country of the
River of the Sauteux. Without exaggeration it would certainly
liave required the assortment of 16 pieces of cloth to cope with
my adversaries and crush them, and I would venture to bet that
Chorette would not get ten packs for all his goods had I the
necessary stock to send out and compete with him in the country
of the River of the Sauteux.
11th Thursday. "L'Outarde" came here last Monday very
late at night, as he was to start the next day. He told me that
"FEpaule de Canard" had started to go and join Bazinet in his
winter-quarters. Instead of leaving, "l'Outarde" got drunk at
Chorette's and did not get sober until today. To get rid of him
and not lose the advances I had made him I gave him another
half keg of rum for nothing for himself and his band, and he
started with many presents from Chorette. That man never
should have had a coat and still less a flag. He is a slave to
liquor; he is too importunate and half a canoe load would not
suffice to satisfy him. The Savages stole a half keg of rum,
double strength, from Chorette last night and "l'Outarde" was
at their head.
13th Saturday. Two young men from the Lakes,87 sent by
old "La Chouette" arrived here yesterday morning. I got one
hundred and ten musk-rat and two beaver skins from them. I
am sending to him George Yarns, his father-in-law, to get the
kegs he has belonging to me and to take him ammunition and a
few goods he asks for the purpose of trading on commission with
the Savages of the Lakes.
14th Sunday. All is calm at last. * * * All those black
faces have gone and entered their winter-quarters. May God
guide them ! We shall therefore begin fishing again and have
some fish to season our rice. It is time, for my stomach was
getting weak.
15th Monday. Having no more credit to give, I took an in-
87 Probably Pelican Lakes, not far from Rhinelander, in Oneida and
Lincoln counties. The Lac du Flambeau band had, towards the close
of the eighteenth century, spread into this region. — Ed.
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ventory o£ the remaining goods this morning. They consist vi
3j pieces of common cloth, and assortment ; li Roll of tobacco ;
6 kegs, double strength ; l£ keg of powder ; shot, bullets etc.
Had I but as much again, I could have sent to compete
against Chorette in the country of the River of the Sauteux.
Were I to divide what remains in two, it would spoil the trade.
17th Wednesday. My men have just arrived from Chor-
ette's; they tell me he has started for the Riviere des Sauteux
with two bastard88 canoes and has 6 engages with him. They
say they saw 3J bales of goods.
18th Thursday. I am despatching Durocher to la Pointe to
inform Mr Cadotte that I cannot send any one to compete
against Chorette at the Riviere des Sauteux ; that he must send
himself and have him followed step by step and even have him
accompanied thus until the spring. I am also asking for a two
handed saw to replace the sawn lumber of my fort and protect
myself against attack another year.
30th Saturday. Hitherto I have been too busy to speak of the
Savages with the exception of an occasional allusion and only in
a very imperfect manner ; and, so that I may not forget what I
have to say about them, I return to the subject. Let us there-
fore make use of the oil while there is some in the lamp.
"L'Outarde" is very far from perfect. I cannot say he is a
rogue and that his heart is black, but he is on the way to it, and
I hope, for the public good, both on account of the Savages and
of ourselves, and for the benefit of the North West Company,
that the flag I gave him will serve as his winding-sheet.
Old "La Chouette" is improving and works with interest for
the Fort, but he was lacking in courage to deserve the flag he
got.
"L'Epaule de Canard" is the only Savage who deserved a flag
and he was not given one ! He is a sober, brave Savage, liked
by the others, liking the French, capable of sacrificing himself
for them; a good man for errands; he does not ask for things,
is satisfied with everything that is given him and is a famous
ss The smallest transport canoe of the Northwest— Masson.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
hunter. I thought I had found another man like him in Bazi-
net's brother-in-law called "La Loche," but he is not a hunter
and is still young. He told me one day he hoped to become as
good a man ; I answered that many qualities were needed to en-
title one to be clothed with a coat, etc ; that the position of chief
was hard to keep, and that a man must be reckless of his life to
be a chief. He then told me he could do everything, etc. I
thought proper to answer that the ladder was a very long one,
that he had only mounted the first round and had a long way to
go before reaching the top.
There are some others whom I might include in the number
of good Savages, but, as a rule, if I could put them all in a bag
and know that Lucifer wanted them, I would give them all to
him for a penny. * * * If they were lambs formerly, to-
day they are rabid wolves and unchained devils. As a rule they
possess all the vices of mankind and only think they are living
well, when they live evil lives.
After saying what I think of those wretches, I will now deal
with the French. I have said what I had to say about Bazinet ;
as to Gauthier it would be very wrong of me to complain of him.
He no longer drinks and behaves like an honest man. At the
first drinking bout the Savages had this autumn he weakened a
little and seemed lacking in firmness, but it has been quite dif-
ferent since ; he is doing his best and if he be expelled from the
Company, three fourths of the people may be banished from the
Synagogue.
All the other men under me behave like good fellows and are
much more polite, much more submissive, and take a little more
interest than the people of the North.89
November 6th, Tuesday. My men have finished chopping
their firewood and tomorrow will begin squaring the pickets for
the fort.
# # # # # # * *
89 Malhiot is contrasting his employees with those on the company's
roll, north and west of Kaministiquia, called collectively "people of
the North."— Ed.
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December 20th, Thursday.90 Two of the Savages went last
night in spite of me to Lalancette's to ask him to sell them some
twine for nets. They came back at half past three and told me
Lalancette had gone after my people. I sent Martineau today
to. their lodges with a kettle and two silk handkerchiefs which
they asked me to trade to them.
21st Friday. Martineau and Bruno arrived at five o'clock in
the evening and brought furs to the value of 24 plus, most of
them being beaver skins. George, Durocher and Little Cadotte
remained at the lodges. Martineau told me that Lalancette had
given a kettle, the first of the nest91 for two and a half plus ; he
also gave a new net for twenty muskrat skins and another for
the damaged skin of a bear cub. The Savages also ask for pro-
visions, shot and some other small articles.
Lalancette was so intoxicated the day before yesterday that
he was obliged to sleep on the road and did not reach the lodges
until noon; my people had arrived during the night. Mar-
tineau swore to me that Lalancette had fallen at least twenty
times, and had wandered as much and broken as much under-
brush as a moose that has remained a long time in the same
place.92
23rd Sunday. At last my people have all arrived and have
brought some beaver skins. They say that Lalancette spent a
four pot keg of rum, double strength, in the lodges without be-
ing able to get a single marten skin, and had it not been for his
kettle and his two nets, he would have gone back empty-handed,
for the Savages waited a day thinking I would send them some.
Little Cadotte is very clever with the Nations [tribes], al-
so The part of the journal omitted from Nov. 7 to Dec. 20 contains
nothing interesting. The men in the fort lived on a scant allowance
of food, catching barely enough fish to season their wild rice or
corn [bled]. — Masson.
si The smallest kettle of a series fitting one within the other, in
order to economize space. — Masson.
92 The French phrase is "ravage d'orignal." Our hunters call a
ravage of a moose or caribou the place where the animal has eaten
moss or twigs, broken the underbrush, etc. — Crawford Lindsay.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
though he is very young. My men say that he gave himself an
extraordinary amount of trouble. He got hold of the greater
portion of the Savages' Furs as soon as he saw Lalancette come
on the lake, and he said to them before Lalancette himself : "Do
not trade with him ; he knew you were starving and he did not
deign to bring you a single grain of rice ; he is a hog ; he makes
a god of his belly. He would see the Savages die rather than
give them a glass of water, etc. etc." I take this opportunity
say that the child promises well ; his sentiments are very good ;
he is polite, steady, saving etc. When he came here in the
autumn he did not know a single letter of the alphabet, and
could barely pronounce a few words in Trench, and now he can
read as well as a child who has been 4 years at school. He
knows his prayers and his catechism ; but one step more and he
will be a prodigy.
# # # # ■* # # *
February 4th, Monday.95 Chorette came to pay me a visit ; I
made him stop and have supper with me. He told me that "La
Pierre a affiler" and his young men intend to kill me in the
spring; to be on my guard against them; that he was sure of
their plot. I asked him why, and he said it was because Bazi-
net had told them I had given them all to the Master of life and
they Would all die before the spring.94
93 The journal from December 23 to February 4 contains nothing
interesting. Fishing was a complete failure. — Masson.
94 This indicates the superstitions of the Indians, which were largely
shared by the French voyageurs. Malhiot means that the Indians be-
lieved he had cast some kind of charm or spell upon them, by an ap-
peal to the Great Spirit, for whom they frequently used the term
"Master of Life." Nothing more appears of this plot against Mal-
hiot's life; probably the warning given by his rival trader was suf-
ficient to thwart it. The chief whom Malhiot calls "La Pierre a af-
filer" was the celebrated Keeshkenum, head chief of the Lac du.
Flambeau band. He was Chorette's father-in-law, and therefore in the
interests of the X Y Company. He was a chief of great influence, first
founder of the Lac du Flambeau band, descendant of Shadawish, great
chief of Sault Ste. Marie in 1671. Keeshkenum was of the totem off
the crane, and claimed pre-eminence over all the interior villages off
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March 1st, Friday.95 I arrived here four hours after night-
fall after an absence of two days at old "Lachouette's" whence
I brought back 10 beaver skins, also 7 maskinonge for which I
gave a keg of rum of 4 pots. Today we caught enough fish for
one meal.
I learn from two young men who have just arrived that "le
Muffle d'Orignal," one of the Savages I gave a coat to last
autumn, starved to such an extent that he had to eat his pack,
his dogs, and ever his gun-cover ; and that "le Chef des Oiseaux,"
who found him by accident, gave him assistance. I sent a
carrot96 of tobacco to "le Chef des Oiseaux."
9th Saturday. "La Tete Grise" arrived and camped near the*
fort with. the whole of his band. When Gauthier's wife went
this morning to Chorette's to get her snow-shoes that a Savage
had taken from her, Lalancette said so many insulting things to
her that the woman came back in tears. Gauthier went there at
once and I sent two men with him. He found Lalancette hid-
den in the garret of his house, but shame compelled him to come
down when Gauthier seized him and beat him to such an extent
that he cannot see. My two men took off their coats and chal-
lenged the remainder of the men in the house, but the challenge
was not taken up.
13th Wednesday. Tonight, at a very late hour, "le Gros
Aigle,"97 a Savage of the Vieux Desert, arrived here. He came
to get us to go and collect my advances. He has just told me
Wisconsin. In 1808 he sharply rebuked the Lac Court Oreille band
for their sympathy with Tecumseh. It is claimed that in 1812 he de-
clared his alliance with the Americans. See Minn. Hist. Colls., v,
pp. 372-375. It would seem by that recital that Michel Cadotte Jr.
was his grandson — probably his grand nephew, as the Indians did not
distinguish between these degrees of consanguinity. He was living in
1827, but soon after died— Ed.
^ The journal from February 5 to March 1, contains nothing of in-
terest; it speaks only of the savages starving and the sufferings of the-
French, who have no fish. — Massox.
»6 Two or three pounds of tobacco. — Masson.
»7 Probably the same Indian noted ante, p. 200, note 85. — Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
that Tremble whom I sent with them last autumn with over 90
plus worth of goods, had left their lodges after trading the goods
and had gone to Roy's at l'Anse,98 with a fine pack and that they
had not seen him since. That Tremble must have left his
Savages about the 2nd or third of January.
14th Thursday. I am sending Gauthier with Durocher to
»8 Frangois Roy was North West Company clerk at l'Anse as early as
1801-02. The name was not uncommon among fur-trade employees.
Probably the Indian interpreter of 1812 at Detroit, was the Roy from
l'Anse, since he accompanied other Lake Superior traders. From that
time he disappears from our knowledge.
L'Anse was the French term for the small bay at the bottom of Ke-
weenaw Bay, and was frequented by the Indians from very early times.
It was at an Indian village on this site that Father Menard spent the
last winter before his death (1660-61), laboring among fugitive Ottawa.
It soon came, however, to be Chippewa territory. Menard had given
the bay the name of St. Ther&se, but it soon reverted to the aboriginal
form. L'Anse was not visited by the ordinary traveller on Lake Su-
perior, since it lies fifteen miles south of the Keweenaw portage. A
considerable Indian village at this point, however, induced trading, and
the post became an auxiliary of that of La Pointe. When the Amer-
ican Fur Company began trade in Lake Superior in 1816-17, l'Anse
was one of their first posts, being managed by John Johnston, from the
Sault. In 1826, William Holliday was clerk in charge. A mission
for the Indians at l'Anse was begun in 1832, by Methodists from Can-
ada. John Sunday, a converted Chippewa, came out and spent seven
months at this place. In the autumn, ten Indians from l'Anse were
baptized at Sault Ste. Marie by the well-known Christian chief, Peter
Jones. Later, the mission was transferred to the care of the church
in the United States. It proved to be quite successful, and by 1848 had
300 civilized Indians dwelling in houses and assuming citizenship. A
reservation was laid off in 1859 for the l'Anse band, just north of the
American town. The Catholic mission at l'Anse was founded by Father
Baraga in 1843, in the township called by his name. There he dwelt
for ten years until created bishop, and there prepared his well-known
grammar and dictionary of the Chippewa language. L'Anse thus became
a noted mission centre; but the invasion of miners and prospectors
after 1845, brought to the Indians whiskey and demoralization. Their
progress towards civilization has, however, continued, and in 1903
they were reported as self-supporting, partially educated, and living
much like their white neighbors. — Ed.
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the Vieux Desert to collect my advances and to trade. All the
Savages of that place starved more than the others and have al-
most nothing ; they will hardly he able to pay one fourth of their
advances. I am sending Martineau and Beaulieu to l'xlnse
with a Savage to whom I am giving 20 plus worth of goods for
his trouble. I am giving orders to those three men to try and
bring Tremble back and, if they cannot succeed, to at least seize
the pack. This rascally trick does me great harm ; it takes two
men away from me for at least 20 days and my Fort is kept
back. Nevertheless, I do not despair of having the pickets
planted before I leave, but the absence of those two men during
twenty days will make me lose many plus.
16th Saturday. "L'Outarde" arrived here with two loads of
meat which he gave me as a present. I gave him six pots of
rum. A moment afterward his brother-in-law arrived thinner
than I have ever seen any man and so weakened by starvation
that he could hardly put one foot before the other. "Le Genou"
arrived later; he told me he had killed three moose and three
bears and to send for them ; unfortunately, I have only one man
and he is ill. Lalancette is to go and get the meat. "Le
Genou" will keep the bear skins for me. I forgot to say that on
the 17th we had a great deal of thunder and lightning.
April 17th Wednesday. My people have finished planting
the pickets of my Fort and it is the finest of all the savage de-
partments. "Long live the North West Company!" "Honor
toMalhiot!"
Old La Chouette who has just arrived made me a present of
4 pieces of meat for which I gave him 5 chopines of rum. His
son "Le Brule" repaid me his advance and gave me a bear-skin ;
I made him a present of half a keg of rum ; I gave him another
half keg on commission, also some ammunition and tobacco to
trade with the people of the Lakes. I also gave his father the
same quantity of ammunition. Those Savages are working
very well for the Fort. * * * How scarce such people are !
15th Thursday. My men are sawing planks to cover the
bastion of the Fort. Chorette gives a brasse of cloth for a
14
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
bear skin. Rum flows like water on both sides, but Chorette is
beginning to complain and I still have seven kegs of mixed
rum. I have hardly any more tobacco and fear I shall have
none at all before I leave. My supply of goods will also fail.
* * * For eleven years that I have been wintering among
the Savages I have never known a competitor trade as cheaply
as Chorette. I think Lucifer brings him his goods from London
as he needs them.
26th Friday. The son of "La pierre a Affiler," Chorette's
brother-iii-law, came here last night and made me a present of
an otter skin, 15 musk-rat skins and 12 lbs of sugar for which I
gave him 4 pots of rum. He went to drink it at Chorette's
with "POurs" and "La Petite Racine." When they were quite
drunk they cleared the house, nearly killed Chorette, stabbed
Lalancette and broke into the store-room. They took two otter
skins, for which I gave them some more rum this morning no'
knowing that they had stolen them. All this row happened b
cause Chorette had promised them rum for their skins and ha
none to give them.
They came here tonight intending to get me to give them
liquor, but we drove them away by striking them with poles
from the top of the Fort. In their fury they went for their
guns but did not venture to fire them and went away with the
shame of not having succeeded in doing anything.
I thank God every day for having inspired me with the idea
of making so good a fort, impregnable to bullets and to all at-
tacks.
May 2nd, Thursday. St Germain has just arrived from la
Pointe. He told me, but too late, that the two Companies now
form but one." I have engaged my men !
»9 For the union of the two companies, North West and X Y, see
ante, p. 168, note 30. It was arranged at Montreal Nov. 5, 1804, and
the agreement then drawn up remained in force until, in 1821, the
North West merged into the Hudson's Bay Company. This settlement
of 1804 was of immense advantage to the trade; competition was prac-
tically abolished; "scenes of violence in the interior ceased, the sale of
[210]
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10th Friday. The war party that arrived here the day be-
fore yesterday to the number of 17, went to Chorette's, killed-
his dogs and, this afternoon, are feasting on the same dogs. Af-
ter making me eat some, they left us, to my great satisfaction
for my provisions are diminishing rapidly. Today I am send-
ing 3 men to Chorette's to get my canoe. He is always extrava-
gant as usual, and gives a brasse of cloth for one otter or
two beaver skins.
I am expecting another war party from day to day. God
grant they may not be so long in importuning me. I also ex-
pect Bazinet from day to day. He alone detains me here and I
think the fort I ordered him to make is the cause of his delay,
I am alone to guard the Fort with Gauthier. My people have
not had a day's rest since my arrival here last autumn. Of all
the men who may be in the upper country I do not think there
are any who have worked as hard as mine : a house twenty feet
square, of logs placed one on the other made by four men; 70
cords of fire-wood chopped; pickets sawn for a fort; a bastion
covered ; a clearing made for sowing 8 kegs of potatoes ; and all
the journeys made here and there ! ! !
23rd Thursday. We finished the packs at noon; I had the
canoes gummed and started from the Fort at half past five in
the afternoon after taking stock of what I left in Gauthier's
charge. Fine weather ; all my people in good health. * * *
God be with us throughout our journey!
24th Friday. On the way I met Chorette who was coming
back from Lake Superior with half a keg of rum he was taking
to his father-in-law. Tremble took advantage of the opportun-
ity to come to me. The poor fellow gave me very bad reasons
liquor was considerably diminished, and commerce was carried on in a
more regular and equitable fashion." When Malhiot says that the news
has come "too late," he means too late for the reduction of salaries
that followed the coalition. The competition of the two companies had
increased wages over twenty-five per cent. These were almost im-
mediately lowered, but the employees of both companies were re-
tained.— Ed.
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Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
as excuses and I fear for him at the Grand Portage. Roy
wrote me about him, and also about the trade. He is very
wrong to complain because I did not send Tremble to trade with
his Savages, but with mine who obtained goods on credit at my
Fort last autumn, and those same Savages are sending a pipe-
stem to Mr MacGillivray so that I may send them more goods
another year. Mr Cadotte writes me also and informs me he
was unable to forward my letter to Mr MacGillivray etc.
26th Sunday. Yesterday we crossed the Portage des Six
Poses and that of the village of la Tortue and, at one o'clock
this afternoon we reached the Grand Portage of the Montreal
River1 where my canoe was broken, and we are obliged to camp
in order to allow four packs to dry that got wet. The two port-
ages we crossed are exceedingly bad and the Savages tell me this
one is still worse.
27th Monday. It rained all last night and we could not be-
gin to portage before ten o'clock. Nevertheless, we did a good
day's work having come to camp at the Petite Riviere, this side
of the Riviere des Pins.2 The portage was never so bad and
the flies are eating us up.
29th Wednesday. My people did sixteen pauses today al-
though the water was frequently up to their knees, and they
1 See ante, p. 181, notes 54, 55. — Ed.
2 Riviere des Pins was probably the present Pine River, flowing
from Pine Lake and by its union with Balsam River forming the East
branch of the Montreal. This was the point chosen by T. J. Cram in
1841 as the headwaters of Montreal River, and from here was accord-
ingly run the boundary line to Lac Vieux Desert. In recent years,
Michigan surveyors have claimed that this is not the true headwaters
of the Montreal; that the West branch is the larger and real head-
waters, and that its source in Island Lake should be the starting point
for the boundary line. Were the interstate boundary thus rectified,
Hurley and all the lands between the east and west branches of the
Montreal would come under Michigan jurisdiction. The matter has
proceeded no further, however, than newspaper agitation. The North- 1
western Railway station of Sand Rock is on Pine River, not far from i
the old Portage Crossing.— Ed.
[ 212 ]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
complained a good deal. We are camping at the Riviere des
Sapins.3
30th Thursday. My people fortunately finished carrying
early, for they were beginning to get tired. The road is so bad
and there are so many overturned trees that I was lost for an
hour, and should still be so, had I not had a gun.
31'st Friday. "L'Epaule de Canard" came to us last night;
he is coming to the Grand Portage to see Mr MacGillivray.
Today we were obliged to make a small raft to cross the Riviere
du Milieu,4 and we are camped there. I have not seen the
water so high for a long time and I am greatly surprised to see
my people hold out so long.
June 2nd, Sunday. The rain prevented us from carrying.
We have done only seven pauses since Friday. There are bil-
lions of flies! We are weak owing to bad food, and we shall
have none at all unless the weather changes.
3rd Monday. After I had written yesterday, the weather be-
came fine and we did ten pauses with one half the baggage. To-
day, it is raining hard and we are completely weather-bound.
4th Tuesday. "Le Canard'7 started this morning for Lake
Superior because we have provisions only for two days more
with great economy, and also to tell the Savages of the Mauvaise
Riviere to bring us some fish, if they have any.
The weather is still cloudy; drops of rain fall from time to
time. Nevertheless, my people are carrying, but they take the
precaution to cover the packs with their blankets at every trip.
The only food remaining is ten quarts of corn not treated with
lye.6
3 Probably the stream now known as Balsam River, a tributary of
the Montreal in northeastern Iron County; see preceding note for its
significance in the boundary question. For an ampler report see that
of Captain Cram in Senate Docs., 27th Cong., 2nd sess., No. 170. — Ed.
4 Riviere du Milieu (Middle River) was without doubt the West
branch of Montreal River, which was about half way from Long (or
Portage) Lake to Lake Superior. Some of the early maps give the
Indian name of this stream as Gogogashugun. — Ed.
^ The French expression is "bled non lescive (lessivg)." To soften
[213]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
5th Wednesday. Today we are in sight of Lake Superior,
my people having done 21 pauses yesterday and 20 today. To-
night we are eating our last corn cakes, and tomorrow noon we
hope to be at the end of the portage.
6th Thursday. We have at last finished the portage at a quar-
ter past twelve, all very tired. I shall not start from here be-
fore tomorrow to give my people a rest. I was lucky enough to
get four sturgeon from the Savages today, which will, I hope,
last me to la Pointe, where I left a sack of corn in a cache6 last
autumn. Mr Cadotte' s eldest son7 arrived here at three o'clock
in the afternoon with a letter from his father informing me of
Mr Latour's death.8
8th Saturday. I started today from the Montreal River and
arrived at la Pointe, Mr Cadotte's fort. While walking beside
the lake I found a white fish half eaten by the eagles and half
rotten, but not sufficiently so to prevent my eating it after roast-
ing it on a spit.
10th Monday. I had my canoe prepared yesterday to start in
company with the Messieurs Cadotte. Their people came from
the grains of Indian corn, make the husk break open, and the kernel
floury, French-Canadians put a small quantity of lye in the water while
boiling the grain. After that treatment, the corn is known as "lyed
corn." It is eaten boiled with pea soup or with milk and sugar. —
Crawford Lindsay.
« For an explanation of the term cache, see Wis. Hist. Coll., xviii,
p. 279.— Ed.
7 Jean Baptiste Cadotte III was called "Gros Cadotte," to distin-
guish him from his brother, "Petit Cadotte." He seems to have been in
the fur-trade with his father, and in 1812 went to the aid of the British
and fought in several battles. In the Battle of the Thames he was
severely wounded, and thereafter received a British pension. He was
employed by the American Fur Company in 1819 as a voyageur on the
upper Mississippi, and was living as late as 1852. It was perhaps in
his honor that the town of Cadott was named in the present Chippewa
County, Wis. — Ed.
s Probably this was Charles Latour, a clerk of the North West Com-
pany stationed in 1799 at Rainy Lake. An employee of the same
name was in the Western country as early as 1789. — Ed.
[214]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
the Riviere Mauvaise with a canoe load of sturgeon so we could
not run short. This did very well, and today at 10 o'clock wo
left la Pointe to come and camp at the Riviere Ciscaouette in
the evening.
15th Saturday. At 3 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday we
left the Riviere Ciscaouette and camped the same evening at
Fond du Lac where, being detained by wind and rain, Mr
Cotton9 was good enough to assist us with a sack of corn and a
brasse of tobacco. On Thursday we left Fond du Lac to go
and camp at the Riviere aux Groseilles.10 On Friday we
camped at the Riviere a la Framboise,11 and today, after a long
day under sail we are camped in sight of He du Grand Portag-?.
9 Cotton, who in 1799 is listed as Jean Coton, belonged to the Fond
du Lac Department for several years. In 1802 William Morrison
found him at Fond du Lac as he passed through. During the winter of
1803-04 Cotton was in charge of a fort on Red Lake River, probably at
the mouth of the Clearwater, where Alexander Henry the younger
visited him. He seems, however, to have been in the Fond du Lac
Department, and to have entered and returned via Lake Superior.
Apparently he left the fur-trade soon after this meeting with Mal-
hiot, since his name is not given among the list of employees after
the coalition. — Ed.
10 The name for this small river in Lake County, Minn., not far
above Encampment Island, has had a curious history. It is first
marked upon Coronelli's map of 1688 as Riviere des Groseliers, being
probably so named in honor of the early fur-trader and explorer
Medard Chouart, sieur de Groseilliers, who with his confrere Radisson
was, so far as we know, the first white man in this region. The
name persists on the maps with various spellings throughout the
eighteenth century, but apparently was corrupted by the voyageurs
into Riviere aux Groseilles; so, when Bayfield surveyed Lake Supe-
rior in 1823, he gave to it the English translation of the French word,
Gooseberry River. Such it remains to the present. — Ed.
11 Modern maps indicate no Riviere a la Framboise, or Raspberry
River, between Gooseberry River and Grand Portage. Possibly the
stream called Indian Camp River is meant; it is about as far from
Gooseberry River as the latter is from Fond du Lac. — Ed.
[215]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
LIST OF GOODS GIVEN FOR PROVISIONS AND EXPENSES OF
THE FORT OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU13
1804 Plus
August 3rd Gave old La pierre a affiler for the meat of a
deer and four other quarters of meat, A
keg of four pots13 of mixed rum . . 5
4th To old Plat cote" for ten quarters of meat, a
keg of six pots . 6V2
6th to old Lacramailliere, for the meat of a bear,
seven chopines14 of rum . . . . 2
To Bazinet, a Double handful of Powder . 1
a Handful of shot 1
two Brasses15 of tobacco ... 4
Malhiot, a Brasse of tobacco ... 2
8th To Gauthier, one do 2
11th To one of the children of old La chouette for
ten quarters of meat, a keg of four pots 5
18th To Brule and Petit Bled for going and bring-
ing me a package each in the Port-
age, a keg of four pots ...... 5
two double-handfuls of powder . . 2
two Handfuls of shot .... 2
half a Brasse of tobacco .... 1
22nd To old Plat cote for a sack of wild rice, a keg
of four pots ...... 5
23rd To La Petite Racine, for half a sack of wild
rice and one of pumpkins, seven chopines
of rum 3
25th To La vielle Francaise, for a quarter of meat
and a dish of wild rice, half a brasse of
tobacco 1
25th To the Savages of Lac du Flambeau, for
three sacks of wild rice, a large Keg and
a Brasse of tobacco 22
12 The following lists were found among the Masson MSS. in the
library of McGill University, Montreal. They evidently accompanied
Malhiot's journal of events at Lac du Flambeau, and give interesting
sidelights on the economics of the fur-trade. — Ed.
is "Pot" is an old French measure for liquids, containing somewhat
less than two litres, and equivalent in English measure to about two
quarts. The "keg of four pots" was thus a two-gallon keg. — Ed.
1* "Chopine" is an ancient measure for liquids, containing about
one fourth of a pot, and nearly equivalent to an English pint. — Ed.
is "Brasse" is a French linear measure, equivalent to 5.318 English
feet, something near a fathom. There is evidence, however, that in
the middle of the eighteenth century a "brasse" was used for a shorter
measure, about the length of the fore-arm. Probably this was the one
here meant. The tobacco was braided or twisted into long strands,
and then measured by the brasse. — -Ed.
[216]
18G4-05]
Malhiot's Journal
To Barceloux for four quarters of moat, a keg
of four pots 5
To Bazinet's brother-in-law, for a sack of wild
rice, seven bottles16 3
To the mother-in-law of La Chouette's son, for
a sack of wild rice, seven chopines of rum 3
27th To the wife of Petit Jour, for two dishes of
wild rice, thirty branches of porcelain
beads17 1
To Gauthier, a brasse of tobacco ... 2
September 3rd To L'Epaule de Canard, for a sack of wild
rice, a keg of six pots . . . . 6yz
To La Grande Loutre, for three sacks of wild
rice, half a Keg of rum .... 10
To the son of La moitie" de Chef, for three
sacks of Corn and one of wild rice, a
large Keg , 20
To Le Petit Canard, for three quarters of
Meat, seven chopines of rum ... 3
To Various Savages, for wild rice, % lb ver-
milion18 V/g
To L'Outarde, to stop him from going on the
war-path, a large Keg and a Brasse of
tobacco ....... 22
Gave to the mother of Le Canard, for half a
sack of wild rice, a piece of Braid . 2
To three young men, for four Dishes of wild
rice, Three knives and a looking-glass . 2
5th To La Feuille, for a Bastard Canoe,19 Three
Brasses of Common cloth @ 4 plus each 12
Two blankets, two points, @ 3 do do 6
A Capot of 4 ells @ 4 do 4
A do 3 do @ 3 do 3
6th To old La Chouette, a large keg to be traded
for provisions 20
To Bazinet, another do . . . . 20
To the son of La molde" de Chef do .20
To Petit Jour, a Keg of 4 pots for the same
purpose ....... 5
A large Keg given by myself for provisions 20
Sent to T ~\c de la Truite by L'6*paule de Can-
ard, a large keg to be traded for provi-
sions 20
Sent by Le Taureau to the village of La
Tortue, a large keg .... 20
is The French word is "holies," a popular term for a glass flask or
bottle.— Ed.
17 "Branche de rassade" is the phrase in the original, indicating
the strings or bunches of porcelain beads which were put up for the
fur-trade. — Ed.
is Vermilion was much used in the fur-trade, for the savages bought
it for ornamentation of both face and body. It was powdered, and sold
in small flat packages; examples are shown in the museum of the
Wisconsin Historical Society.— Ed.
is For this expression, see ante, p. 203, note 88. — Ed.
[217 1
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
9th Gave Gauthier Two Cotton Shirts ... 6
A Brasse of tobacco to smoke . . 2
Malhiot do do 2
Bazinet do do 2
12th To Several women for husking five sacks of
Corn, ys lb Porcelain beads and y2 a
Brasse of tobacco 2
13th To Folle Avoine, for four sacks of Corn, half
a Keg and a Brasse of tobacco . . 12
28th To La Grande Loutre, for a small Fishing
Canoe, a piece of Braid 2
To La Feuille, for a sack of Corn, a keg of
four pots 5
To Le Mufle d'orignal for two sacks of Corn,
a keg of six pots 6%
To Barceloux, for five sacks of corn, half a
keg and half a Brasse of tobacco . . 12
To Le Gros Egle, for six sacks of corn, half
a keg and a brasse of tobacco ... 12
Sent By L'outarde to Lac de la Truite a large
keg . 20
29th To Le Chef des oiseaux, for four sacks of
Corn, half a Keg and half a brasse of
tobacco ....... 11
To Gauthier, a Brasse of tobacco to smoke 2
To Bazinet do do do 2
Gave le Mufle d'Orignal, for two sacks of
corn, a keg of four pots .... 5
To La Feuille for a sack of Corn, a keg of
two pots 3
October 1st To Le Petit- Jour for seven maskinonge, six
ducks, and four musk-rats, a Keg of four
pots 5
6th To the men, a file for the use of the fort . 1
To an Old woman for having scraped six Deer
skins, six Brasses of braid and a comb 1
Six Deer skins used for the windows20 . . 2
15 To Gauthier, one Brasse of tobacco to smoke 2
To Malhiot do do 2
Expended, by drams, from the third of Au-
gust to this date, two and a half large
Kegs of mixed rum ..... 50
18 To Durocher, a double handful of powder and
a handful of shot ..... 2
To Gauthier and Little Cadotte, each as much 4
To Barceloux, provided he will give Tremble
-food all winter, A keg of four pots 5
Sixty bullets ...... 2
Two double-handfuls of powder . . 2
24 Gave Martineau, for his engagement feast,
half a Brasse of tobacco and a deer skin 1
20 Windows were usually made of parchment, scraped thin enough to
he translucent. — Ed.
[218]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
26 To old La Chouette for the meat of thirty
musk-rats, two outardes,31 and six
ducks, five pots of rum .... 6
27 To Brunot and Beaulieu, on their engagement,
half a brasse of tobacco and a deer skin
each i 3
Nov. 4th To an old woman, for some Corn, a Brasse
of cloth 4
For two rolls of bark, a box with a burning
glass 2
10 To Gautier, a Brasse of tobacco ... 2
26 To the Brother-in-law of la Chouette's son,
for one hundred white fish, twelve
bottles of rum 6
half a brasse of tobacco ^ 1
Malhiot, a Brasse of tobacco .... 2
To the men , one file u> 1
December 10 To an old woman, for dressing six deer skins,
one Pair of leggings .... 2
To the same old woman for lacing four pairs
of snow-shoes, one pair of sleeves . . 2
25 To the same old woman, for cutting a doe
skin into thongs, a foot and a half of
tobacco ........ Vz
30 To Gauthier, one Brasse of tobacco . . 2
1805
January 1st
15
25th
February 28
March 1st
10
14
To my men, as a new year's present, five
chopines of high-wines
A Brasse of tobacco
To the men of X Y, a chopine of high- wines 28
Malhiot, a Brasse of tobacco ....
To Gauthier do do ...
To Gauthier do. do ....
To Le Canard, for 15 lbs of bear's grease, 4
plus worth of ammunition
To L'outarde do do do
To La Chouette do do do
To old La Chouette, for 7 maskinonge" and 4
lbs of grease, 1 Keg of 4 pots
To the son of old La chouette for ten mas-
kinonge, a small Keg of 4 pots
To L'Bgle for seven quarters of meat, three
gallons of rum and y2 brasse of tobacco
To The sister of L'Bpaule do canard, for half
a sack of corn, two double handfuls of
powder and 60 Bullets ....
Gave an old woman, for Lacing two pairs of
snow_-shoes, a looking glass and % Brasse
of tobacco •
21 Outarde is the French-Canadian term for the wild-goose (bernicla
■canadensis) . — Ed.
22 See Alexander Henry's description of the New Year's feast at his
Red River post, in 1801. Coues, Henry's Journals, p. 162.— Ed.
[ 219 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix:
To La Grue Blanche, for guiding my men to
Roi's at L'Anse,23 4 pots of rum . 5
a Brasse of tobacco . . . . 2
For ammunition ..... 4
16 To L'outarde for two loads of fresh meat, a
i keg of six pots 8
To Gauthier a brasse of tobacco to smoke . 2
To Malhiot do do do . 2
26 To L'Epaule de Canard, for the meat of a
bear, a two-gallon keg .... 5
29 To L'Epaule de Canard, for the meat of two
Moose and of two bears, a large keg . 20
27th Gave old La Chouette, for one half of the meat
of a bear and for 4 quarters of meat, 4
pots of rum . .... 5
28 To Barceloux, for 7 quarters of meat, 4 pots
of rum 5
April 6th To the son of Le cioux for going to get George
Yarns at his Father-in-law's, 4 plus
on his credit ...... 4
3 chopines of rum ..... 1
9 To Le Chef des Oiseaux, for half a keg of
Sugar24 6 pots of rum .... 6
15 To Gauthier, a Brasse of tobacco to smoke . 2
To Malhiot do do . 2
17 To Old La Chouette, for four quarters of
meat, five chopines of rum ... 4
25 To the son of La Pierre a affiller for fifteen
pounds of sugar, a pot of rum . . 2"
May 7 To Old La Chouette for a Northern canoe,25
a large keg of rum . . . . . 20
8th To the war-party, for an old canoe, a double
handful of powder and thirty bullets . 2
11 To the son of old La Chouette for a fishing
canoe, 10 plus from his credit 101
18 To the young men of 7 Jhouette, for 3 quar-
ters of meal, 2 double handfuls of
powder and 30 Bullets ... 3
Gauthier, a brasse of tobacco ... 2
Malhiot ». 2
688V2.
Plus
23 See the journal for March 14, 1805, ante. — Ed.
24 Maple sugar, which the Indians had just been making. — Ed.
25 The Northern canoe was the largest made and used on the northern
lakes. A fine description, with illustration, is found in Henry R.
Schoolcraft, Narrative Journal of Travels (Albany, 1821), pp. 68-70. He
says they were thirty-five feet in length by six in width, and capable
of carrying four tons. — Ed.
[ 220]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
STATEMENT OF THE GOODS SENT TO THE OUISECONSAINT
CONFIDED TO THE CARE AND CHARGE OF J. BT. BAZ1XET
AND J. Q. RACICOT BY FR. VT. MALHIOT
Lac du Flambeau, October 4tii 1804.
uctoDer ■itn, loui
Plus
o IrieceS COIDEUOIl I^IOIQ, UlUe
(Jg
Plus the piece
1 OA
O JjIttSSca UO in. Xj .
f7i\
rlrv
QO
the brasse
1 0
Id
A rl r\ Qrto rl of
1 QO QO oCdritM
(3
a
0
QO
rlrv
QO
d<±
QO ^dllCO
IS
0
0
QO
rl r\
QO .
a
. 0
w IMclIllvtiLS o- pOlllCS
/r?>
rl rv
QO
each
Q
. O
■J 1 r\(\ 91/' rlrw
w
0
0
rlrv
QO
rl rv
QO
QQ
• OO
A rl /-\ £> rl r\
D QO a QO
0
di
rl r\
QO
QO
12
a A\n -11/ /l r\
O QO J- 73 0.0
m
9
0
rl n.
QO
QO
Id
A rl /~i "1 rl r\
O QO JL QO
1
rl rv
QO
QO
O
O /^o ha^cs A nil a
o sapors * ens
m
Q
O
rl /-w
QO
QO
12
"5 rlrw Ql/ rlVk
o QO 073 QO
Ql/
^72
rlrk
QO
rlrv
QO .
10 72
O rl r\ Q rl
-O QO t> QO
IS
Q
O
rlr\
QO
QO
r\
. Xf
J. rlrk 91/ rln
■4 QO «7J3 QO
9 V
do
do
•i rlr\ 11/ fin
L QO 4.72 QO
1 1/
1/2
do
do
1 1/
IV2
zf rl r\ 1 rl r\
t QO J. QO
IS
J.
do
do
A
*
0 nous 01 DraiQ
(98
O
plus
each
16
3 Skeins of wool
IS
&
do
do
0
2 Laced, caps
(S
O
19
do
do
. 4
d riats
@
0
4
plus
each
. 4
3 Small children's shirts
±
do
do
0
0
a DiacK siiK nanQKercnieis
0
do
do
4:
Q T>o r*lro crass f\f Y\T Y\\i'Ct T\f\tT>cilck in
0 jr acKdges 01 vv mie poicciaiu
uedQS
(S
do
do
1 9
jl Lxjicii iaige Knives
for one plus
Q
• O
0 1? ine Knives
(S
1/
/2
a plus each
O
. O
1 Dozen of Steele for <!trikiner
fire
@
6
for
a plus
2
2 Dozen Awls
@
1
dozen for do
2
3 Dozen Wormers2*
@
do
do
3
1 Dozen horn combs
@
6
for
do
. 2
6 Box-wood Combs
@
3
for
do
2
3 Packs of cards
@
1
plus each
. " 3
2 Boxes with burning glass
@
2
do
do
4
2 pieces of ribbon
@
3
do
do .
6
3 Looking-glasses
@
1
do
do
3
3 Steel boxes
@
1
do
do
3
50 Needles
@
25
for 1 plus .
2
26 Probably a kind of cloth manufactured especially for the Hudson's
Bay Company and their trade. — Ed.
2t For the explanation of this term, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvi, p. 400,
note 2. — Ed.
28 A wormer was a small coil of iron or steel, used in cleaning a
gun. — Ed.
[221]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xi*
Silverware
40 Pairs Small Earrings @ 10
prs for a plus
4
40 Pair, medium sized do @ 10
prs do do
4
50 Large brooches @ 15
do do
3
100 Small do for the hair @ 20
do do
5
3 Large double crosses @ 2
plus each
6
6 medium-sized do @ 1
do do ..
6
6
4
3
50 Branches of porcelain beads @ 10
branches for a plus .
5
24 large oeadszy @ 3
for do
&
1
Entire Pieces
4 Kegs, double strength @ 40
plus each
160
1 do Powder
50-
1 sack of bullets
40
y2 do beaver shot
25
1 Roll tobacco for snuff .
60
1 gun
10
2 traps @ 5
plus each
10
Ironmongery
1
2 half axes @ 2
plus each
4
5 Tomahawks @ 1
do do
5-
Utensils &
Tools
2 Large axes @ 3
plus each
&
1
1
1
1
1
1 do of a chopine 1
1 do of a half-chopine 1
2
1 Gill measure
1 dram measures© J
7
3
Provisions
18 Bushels of Corn @ 4 plus per bushel . . 72
iy2 do wild rice @ 5 do do . . 3
20 The French phrase is "Noyaux porceline." We are informed by a
former Indian trader that this refers to a large coarse bead prized by
the tribesmen. — Ed.
30 The French word is "miserable," which is argot for a small glass
of spirits. — Crawford Lindsay.
[ 222]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
100 lbs flour
y2 Barrel of Pork
1 do Sugar
y2 lb of Pepper
6 Quarts of salt
y2 lb of Tea
The 22nd February 1805— The following articles Plus
4 Blankets, 3 points @ 4 plus each ... 16
2 do 2 do @ 2 do do 4
1 Capot 3ya ells 3V2
1 do 3 do 3
2 Rolls of braid @ 2 plus each ... 4
1 Brasse cloth H.B 4
3 do do, common @ 3 plus each ... 9
1 do do, scarlet 6
10 Verges si ribbon 2 verges for a plus . 5
36 Flints 2
18 Pairs Earrings 2%
7 Clusters [of beads] 2
1 Pair Armlets 4
4 pots of rum, double strength 10
980V2
May 18th
1 Sack of Corn 3
>. k 4 i : •
983 y9
Return
May 21, 1805 Plus
69 Large bear skins @ 2 plus each . . . 138
18 Small do do 18
47 Deer Skins @ 2 for a plus . . . 23 yz
327 Musk-rat skins @ 10 do d6 . . 32%
68 Beaver skins, making 58
3 Lynx skins @ 2 plus each ... 6
20 Otter skins @ do do ... 40
5 Fisher skins 5
100 Marten skins @ 2 for a plus ... 50
Yz a Moose skin 1
Goods Brought Back
1 Capot of 3y2 ells 3VZ
Silverioare
3 Large double crosses 3
8 Pairs of earrings V/z
30 Small brooches for the hair 1
Utensils
1 Large brass kettle 7
1 Small tin do 3
2 Large axes 4
31 "Verge" is a French linear measure, equal to an English ell. — Ed.
[ 223 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1 Quart pot . . 1
1 Chopine do . 1
1 half-chopine do 1
1 Small do 2
1 Spigot 1
1 Funnel 1
1 Padlock 1
1 Northern canoe 30
5 Brasses of bark . . 2y2
1 Keg of gum 32 10
445%
INVENTORY OF THE GOODS REMAINING AT LAC DU FLAM-
BEAU AFTER THE CREDITS GIVEN, AND WHAT WAS SENT
TO OUISSECONSAINT AND THE AUTUMN TRADE
15th October 1804
3 Pieces common cloth
8 Brasses Blue cloth H. B.
4 do Scarlet do
6 do rough33 do
7 Verges calico
2 Blankets 3 points
19 do
8%
do
8 do
2
do
2 do
1%
do
6 do
1
do
5 Capots of 4
ells
3 do
3%
do
3 do
3
do
4 do
2VZ
do
2 do
iVz
do
3 do
l
do
14 Rolls of braid
2 Dozen Large knives
Yz Dozen Small do
Vz Dozen fine do
iy2 lb Vermilion
4 Small shirts
5 Skeins of wool
6 kegs of rum, double strength
iy2 dd of powder
2 sacks of Bullets
Vz do of Shot
1 Roll of tobacco
18 Carrots do
32 Both bark and gum were used in the repairing of canoes, and were
necessary for any extended voyage. — Ed.
33 The French term is "drap motton," i. e. mottonS — rough, like
Irish frieze. — Crawford Lindsay.
[ 224]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
1 Quart pot 1
1 Chopine do . i 1
1 half-chopine do 1
1 Small do 2
1 Spigot 1
1 Funnel 1
1 Padlock 1
1 Northern canoe 30
5 Brasses of bark . . . 2y3
1 Keg of gum 32 10
445%
INVENTORY OF THE GOODS REMAINING AT LAC DU FLAM-
BEAU AFTER THE CREDITS GIVEN, AND WHAT WAS SENT
TO OUISSECONSAINT AND THE AUTUMN TRADE
15th October 1804
3 Pieces common cloth
8 Brasses Blue cloth H. B.
4 do Scarlet do
6 do rough33 do
7 Verges calico
2 Blankets
3
points
19 do
2%
do
8 do
2
do
2 do
1%
do
6 do
1
do
5 Capots of 4
ells
3 do
3%
do
3 do
3
do
4 do
2VZ
do
2 do
IV2
do
3 do
1
do
14 Rolls of braid
2 Dozen Large knives
Yz Dozen Small do
y2 Dozen fine do
V/z lb Vermilion
4 Small shirts
5 Skeins of wool
6 kegs of rum, double strength
iy2 dd of powder
2 sacks of Bullets
y2 do of Shot
1 Roll of tobacco
18 Carrots do
32 Both bark and gum were used in the repairing of canoes, and were
necessary for any extended voyage. — Ed.
33 The French term is "drap motton," i. e. mottong — rough, like
Irish frieze. — Crawford Lindsay.
[ 224]
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1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
INVENTORY OF THE FURS OF THE AUTUMN TRADE
5th October 180* — Lac du Flambeau
528 Deer skins
16 Bear do
840 Muskrat
44 Otter
7 Marten
1 Mink
Provisions
40 minots8* of Corn and wild rice.
ACCOUNT BOOK FOR DROUINE"
Lac du Flambeau 4th August 1804
August 4th, 1804 Plus
Sent to Ouisconsaint by Bazinet, the following goods:38
1 Piece common Blue cloth 50
3 Blankets 3 points @ 5 plus each . . 15
9 do 2yz do @ 4 do do ... 36
2 do 2 do @ 3 do do 6
2 do iy2 do @ 2 do do 4
2 Capots of 4 Ells @ 5 do do . .10
2 do 3y2 do @ 4 do do ... 8
1 do 2% do @ 2VZ do do . . 2%
1 do 2 do @ 2 do do ... 2
1 do iy2 do @ iy2 do do . . iy2
3 Rolls of braid @ 2 do do' 6
1 Package of porcelain Beads 3 plus .... 6
1 lb Vermilion 3 do ... 3
1 silk handkerchief 2 do ... 2
34 A minot is an old French measure of capacity, containing some-
what more than a bushel; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, p. 252. — Ed.
as For the significance of this term see ante, p. 200, note 86. The
methods of the traders are clearly indicated by this book, each of the
voyageurs and interpreters being entrusted with a small outfit, and
sent out to a winter camp of some Indians supposed to have furs. In
the original account book the outfits are entered upon one page and
the returns opposite; for purposes of comparison we have made the
return from each drouine follow the outfit entry. The outfit sent to
Wisconsin (Ouisconsaint) by Bazinet and Racicot is practically a part
of this book for drouine; but being so much more considerable, is
given a separate entry. — Ed.
as This would seem to have been a brief trial trip, followed by that
of October 4, entered ante, pp. 221-224. — Ed.
15 [ 225 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections
[Vol. xix
1 Piece of ribbon 5 do ... 5
1 Dozen Large Knives @ 4 for 1 plus ... 3
15 lbs. Beaver Shot @ 1 plus per lb . . . 15
10 lbs. bullets @ 1 do do . . . 10
18 Brasses of tobacco @ 2 plus per brasse . . 36
2 Carrots do @ 5 plus each ... 10
2y2 kegs of mixed rum @ 10 do do . . 25
6 lbs. of powder @ 1 do do 6
259
Return
August 10th, 1804 Plus
222 Deer skins @ 2 for 1 plus . . .111
1 Bear skin .......... 2
90 Muskrat skins @ 10 for 1 plus ... 9
3 Otter skins @ 2 plus each ... 6
1 Beaver skin 1 ... 1
For meat pounded for pemmican 37 ... . 5
For quarters of meat 5
Given on credit to various Savages for .... 15
Given a commission for 50
Goods drought lack
3 Blankets of 3 points @ 5 plus each ... 15
219
October 15th Plus
To the Vieux Desert by Remie Tremble
1 Blanket of 3 points 4
2 do 2V2 do ... 6
1 Capot of 4 ells 4
1 do 3V2 do
1 do 3 do 3
1 do 2V2 do 2
2 Brasses of common cloth @ 3 plus each ... 6
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2
1 Piece of braid 2
2 Black silk handkerchiefs @ 2 plus each . . . 4
1 Carrot of tobacco 5
3 Brasses do @ 2 plus per brasse . . 6
1 Tobacco box 2
1 Breech-clout 1
6 Horn combs and 4 of Box-wood . 2
6 Packages of porcelain beads 6
37 Pemmican is a food much used in northern latitudes. It consists
of equal parts of dried meat, pounded or pulverized, and some kind
of fat or tallow. When properly made, it will keep for many months,
and formed a staple food in the fur-trade. It is still prepared for
Arctic regions. See account in "Franchere's Narrative" in Thwaites,
Early Western Travels, vi, p. 380. — Ed.
[ 226 ]
i 1804-05] Malhiot's Journal
1 Small child's shirt and one small do Capot .... 2
3 Dozen rings 3
1 Dozen awls and 1 Dozen wormers 1
For wool 5
1 Fine knife 1
3 Small knives and one flint iy2
9 Double handfuls of powder 9
300 Gun bullets 10
90y2
Return Plus38
November 2nd, 1804 Plus
Sent to la Puise by Gauthier
1 keg of 4 pots of mixed rum 5
1 Brasse of common cloth 3
1 Blanket of 2y2 points 3
V2 Brasse of tobacco 1
y2 Roll of braid 1
For porcelain beads 1
14
Return
November 5th, 1804 Plus
2y2 Sacks of corn @ 3 plus per sack 7y2
4 Muskrats and for dry fish 1
Goods drought back
1 Blanket of 2% points 3
Y2 Piece of braid . 1
i2y2
December 20th Tlus
To Lake Superior by George Yarns and Cadotte
2 Brasses of Blue cloth H . B 8
2 do common do 6
1 Blanket of 3 points 4
1 do 2y2 do 3
1 do 2 do 2
1 do 1 do 1
1 Capot of 4 ells 4
2 Rolls of braid @ 2 plus each ....... 4
1 Verge calico 1
3 Double handfuls of powder 3
100 Gun bullets 3
For porcelain beads ........ 3
3 Black silk handkerchiefs @ 2 plus each .... 6
2 Large and 2 small knives 1
3 lbs shot 3
3 Sacks of corn @ 3 plus each 9
1 Kettle 5%
66 l/a
38 There were no returns, because Tremble" went on to the post at
l'Anse. See ante, pp. 207-209.— Ed.
[ 227 ]
/
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Return
December 23rd Plus
30 Beaver skins, making ........ I6y2
4 Otter skins @ 2 plus each 8
7 Marten skins @ 2 for a plus 3y2
6 Mink skins @ 2 do do 3
8 Musk rat skins y2
Goods drought back
1 Blanket of 3 points ^ 4
1 do 2 do . . ' 2
2 Brasses of cloth H.B. 8
2 Rolls of braid 4
1 Silk handkerchief . 2
For porcelain beads 2
100 G-un bullets * 3
For beaver shot . 2
5sy2
February 18th, 1805 Plus
To the lodge of le Genou By George Yarns
1 Brasse of cloth H.B 4
1 small wide-mouthed kettle 2
15 Pairs of Earrings 2
10 Common brooches 1
100 Hair do 30 for 1 plus 3
3 large beads 1
9 Branches of porcelain beads ........ 2
1 Black silk handkerchief . . 2
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2
18
Return
February 19, 1805 Plus
4 Beaver skins, making . . 2y2
2 Otter skins @ 2 plus each ...... 4
12 Marten skins @ 2 for a plus 6
Goods brought back
1 Black silk handkerchief . . . . 2
3 large beads 1
9 Branches of porcelain 1
10 Common brooches 1
83 Hair do 2
19Y»
February 19th Plus
To The Lodge of Les Grandes Oreilles by little Cadotte
1 Brasse of cloth Hi B . . 4
1 do common do 3
1 Pair Scarlet leggings , 2
2 Rolls of braid 4
1 Black silk handkerchief 2
2 chopines of rum 1
[ 228 ]
16
1804-05] Malhiot's Journal
Return
February 23rd Plus
2 Beaver skins . ' 2
3 Marten skins 1V2
Goods Drought back
1 Brasse of cloth H.B 4
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2
2 Rolls of braid 4
1 Black silk handkerchief 2
15%
February 20th, 1805 Plus
Sent By Gauthier and George Yarns to old La Chouette,
Le Canard, and L'Outarde
1 Brasse cloth H.B 4
2 do Common do 6
1 Blanket 2y2 points 3
1 do 2 do 2
1 do 1% do 2
1 do 1 do ... . 1
2 Pairs Scarlet leggings 4
2 Double handfuls of powder 2
60 Bullets 2
2 Half axes 4
iy2 Brasse of tobacco 3
33
Return
February 21st, 1805 Plus
2 Bear skins @ 2 plus each 4
1 Small do 1
6 Beaver skins, making 5
2 Mink skins iy2
9 Muskrat skins.
Goods brought back
1 Blanket 2y2 points 3
2 Pairs Scarlet leggings 4
60 Bullets 2
2 Double handfuls of powder 2
Given on credit for 5
27%
February 26th Plus
By George Yarns to the lodge of La Moitie" de Chef
2 Brasses common cloth 6
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2
2 Pieces Braid 4
2 Blankets 2y2 points 6
1 do 2 do 2
1 Child's shirt 1
1 Dozen rings 1
y2 Brasse of tobacco 1
[ 229 ]
23
Wisconsin Historical Collections
[Vol. xlx
Return
February 26th Plus
1 Bear skin 2
3 Otter skins @ 2 plus each 6
4 Marten skins @ 2 for one plus ...... 2
1 Small Beaver and 4 Muskrat skins 1
6 Deer skins @ 2 for one plus 3
Goods brought back
1 Blanket of 2 points 2
2 Pieces of braid 4
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2
22
March 4th, 1805 Plus
By George Yarns to the Lodge of Le Vieux Sorcier
1 Brasse of cloth H.B 4
1 do common cloth 3
1 Pair of Scarlet leggings 2
1 Roll of braid 2
1 Carrot of Tobacco 5
1 Blanket of 2 points 2
4 Pots of rum 5
23
Return
March 8th Plus
2 Bear skins @ 2 plus each 4
2 Marten skins .......... 1
Goods brought back
1 Brasse of common cloth 3
1 Pair of Scarlet leggings 2
1 Roll of braid 2
1 Carrot of tobacco 5
1 Blanket of 2 points 2
19
March 14 Plus
Sent to the vieu Desert by Gautier
1 Brasse of common cloth 3
1 Blanket of 2V2 points . 3
1 do 1% do 2
1 Pair Scarlet leggings ... - 2
yz Carrot of tobacco 2
y2 Brasse do . . , 1
7 large beads 2
For wool 2
For porcelain Beads 1
For ammunition 2
1 Silk handkerchief 2
4 Pots of rum 5
[27]
1804-05] Malhiot's Journal
Return
March 20 . Plus
12 Marten skins @ 2 for one plus 6
30 Muskrat skins @ 10 for one plus 3
1 Fisher39 and one raccoon 1 >
% Moose skin 3
Goods brought back
3 Skeins of wool V/z
1 Package of porcelain beads ....... V2
1 Black silk handkerchief 2
6 large beads 2
y2 carrot of tobacco 2
4 Quarters of meat 2
23
March 25th
Sent to Lac de La Truite by Gautier
4 Pots of rum 5
40 Small sleigh-bells 3
1 Foot of tobacco . . . Vss
Return
March 26
1 Bear's meat 3
For grease 1
2 Moose muzzles x/z
Goods brought back
25 Small sleigh bells 2
6V3
March 27th
Sent by Gautier to Lac de la Truite
1 Keg of mixed rum 20
20
Return
March 29
2 The meat of two Moose 12
2 The meat of two Bears 8
20
39 Fisher, called by French-Canadians "pecan," is the largest of the
weasel family in North America. It is sometimes called black fox.
The name fisher is a misnomer, since it does not fish, but will eat fish
•aught by others. Its scientific name is mustela pennanti; it is rare
in Wisconsin. — Ed.
[231]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
March 27, 1805 Plus
Sent by George Yarns to The people of the Lakes
1 Blanket of 3 points 4
2 do 2V2 do 6
1 do 2 do 2
1 Brasse cloth H.B 4
1 do common do 3
1 Pair Scarlet leggings 2 -
2 Rolls of Braid . 4
1 Carrot of tobacco 4
1 Capot 2y2 ells 2Yz
For ammunition 6
6 Pots of rum 6
43V*
Return
April 12 Plus
2 Large bear skins @ 2 plus each 4
1 Small do 1
7 Otter skins @ 2 plus each 14
3 Fisher skins 3
3 Beaver skins ,3
4 Marten skins 2
20 Muskrat skins @ 10 for a plus 2
For grease 2
Goods Drought back
1 Blanket of 2 points 2
1 Breech-clout 1
60 Bullets .......... 2
36
April 30 Plus
Sent by Gauthier to Portage de la Tortue
2 Brasses common cloth 6
1 do H. B. do 4
1 do Scarlet do 5
2 do Calico . . 4
2 Skeins of wool 3
1 Blanket of 2y2 points . . . .... . . 3
1 do 2 do 2
2 Medium-sized Armlets . 3
50 Brooches for the hair 2
y2 Brasse of tobacco 1
2 Packages of porcelain beads 2
6 Pots of rum 8
43
Return
May 2 Plus
4 Beaver skins 2y2
1 Otter skin 2
15 Muskrat skins . . iy2
1 A Mocock of sugar*0 4
40 The French word is "makague," evidently a rendering of the In-
dian term mocock. The mococks were large vessels of birch bark, into-
[ 232 ]
1804-05]
Malhiot's Journal
Goods brought back
1 Brasse Scarlet cloth ......... 5
iy2 do common" do 5
1 do H. B. do 4
2 do Calico do 4
2 Medium-sized Armlets 3
50 Brooches for the hair 2
2 Pots of rum 2
' 35
May 13 Plus
Sent by Gauthier to Portage de la Tortue
y2 Keg of rum 10
1 Carrot of tobacco 4
1 Piece of Braid 2
1 Calico shirt 2
1 Skein of wool 1
19
Return
May 14
1 Otter skin 2
10 Muskrat skins 1
1 Large bear skin 2
1 Skin of a bear-cub with the meat . . . . 2
2 Marten skins 1
Goods brought back
y2 Carrot of tobacco 2
7 pots of rum 7
17
May 18
Sent by Martineau to Lac de la Folle
2 Brasse of common cloth 6
1 Blanket of 2y2 points . - 3
1 Small Capot 1
1 Piece Braid 2
1 Carrot of tobacco 4
For ammunition 8
90 Brooches for the hair 3
For porcelain beads and large beads . . . . . 2
y2 Brasse tobacco for snuff 1
30
Return
May 21 Plus
To all the goods brought back [30]
which maple sugar was packed, each holding from thirty to eighty
pounds. See Mrs. Baird, "Early Days at Mackinac," in Wis. Hist,
Colls., xvi„ pp. 29-33, on sugar-making and its utensils. — Ed.
[ 233 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. Ax
Fur-Trade on the Upper Lakes
1778-1815
1778: SUPPLIES RECEIVED AND FORWARDED
[Letters of John Askin to fur-traders at Montreal and Detroit, and on
Lake Superior.** Original MS. letter-book in library of Clarence M.
Burton, Detroit]
41 The business of forwarding supplies of provisions and liquors to
the traders in the Northwest had its headquarters at Michilimackinac,
and at this time (1778) was largely in the hands of John Askin. Pro-
visions in Indian corn, bears' tallow, etc., were picked up around the
lakes, while the liquors came up from Montreal by two routes: that of
the Ottawa (Grand River), and that of Niagara and Detroit. The
former was more expensive, because light boats had to be used, on
account of the many portages; the latter more uncertain, especially in
times of war.
The following letters from John Askin's letter-book, which now rests
in the Burton Library, Detroit, reveal the names of traders engaged in
the traffic, the predominance of the North West Company, and the
difficulties of the business; they also incidently throw much light on
conditions along the upper lakes during the Revolution, the state of
shipping, and the interference with trade due to the progress of the
war.
For a brief sketch of John Askin see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 309,
note 29. To that should be added the information that he came West
soon after the treaty of Paris (1763); that his wife was Archange
Barthe of Detroit; and that after the transfer of the posts to the
United States in 1796, he elected to remain a British subject, and re-
moved to the Canadian side of Detroit River, where he died in 1817.
His relations with the early traders continued friendly throughout
their lives; and among his papers (in the Burton Library) are many
letters from Isaac Todd, Alexander Henry, the McGills, and other
founders of the Canadian fur-trade. — Ed.
[ 234]
M
BA TTLEFIELD
V
v.
CAftMA&EPOADS. || |
r//.S.
Map Of
Mackinac J si and
1910
By courtesy of Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Miciiilimackinac, April 28th, 1778.
Messrs. M^Gill, Frobisher, and Patterson at Montreal.**
I take this opportunity to acquaint you that I'm taking every
precaution and hope to prevent your meeting with any disa-
pointment in what I'm to furnish you. As I found that no
part of the great quantity of Liquors which I had on the Road
arrived, I attempted to purchase some at Detroit, but the
Price being far from 26s to 30s N. Y. Curry: the Gallon and
little certainty of getting it here, made me drop the Scheme.
I'm to have 80 kegs of W[est] I[ndia] Rum of 8 Gs- each from
Mons. Barth,43 at 150lvs- the Keg, this with about 100 Bushells
of hulled Corn, shall go off very early for the Portage. Corn
in all probability will be as hard to be got as Rum. I'm in-
formed from Detroit that it will cost 26s. the Bushell Unhulled
42 For a brief biographical notice of James McGill see Ibid., p. 326.
This was Benjamin Frobisher. The three brothers of that name,
Thomas, Joseph, and Benjamin, were among the earliest British
traders in the Northwest. Benjamin appears to have been the young-
est, and to have entered the. fur-trade as early as 1766. Joseph and
Thomas were the original founders of the firm of Frobisher Brothers,
but Thomas retired about 1778, and Benjamin succeeded him. Joseph
and Benjamin were very active in the formation and conduct of the
North West Company, acting as their chief agents in Montreal. Ben-
jamin died before the reorganization of 1790. The Benjamin Frobisher
who met a tragic death in 1819 during the struggles of the North
West and Hudson's Bay companies was a nephew of the elder Ben-
jamin.
Charles Patterson was likewise one of the early traders. He was
with the Frobishers in the Northwest by 1775, and being one of the
founders of the North West Company was active in its management.
In 1788 he and his entire crew were drowned in Lake Michigan, some
sixty miles from Mackinac, at a place since known as Patterson's
Point. — Ed.
« Jean Baptiste Barthe, son of Charles, one of the early colonists
of Detroit, was born at that city in 1753. He was a brother-in-law of
John Askin, and at this time employed in the shipping business with
headquarters at Sault Ste. Marie. After some difficulty with British
officers, he left the Sault and in 1782 was settled at Mackinac. Later
he returned to Detroit, and in 1796 elected to remain a British sub-
ject; whereupon he removed to Upper Canada, which he made his
home during hrs last years. — Ed.
[ 235 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
& without Bags, but that's not the worst, how to get it here
now the Vessels are stopt, the Kings Vessel will come as usual
perhaps, hut besides King's Stores, she has to carry for so many
persons, that each can have very little on the Board, I myself
could [fill] her twice, from all this you may judge, how diffi-
cult it is to fullfill contracts, however don't be discouraged if
money or Industry will answer, vou shall not be disapointed.
Rum I expect for a Certainty by the Grand River & and I
shall send a Vessell to Millwakee in search of Corn. I have
150 Bushells already there & hope for more. I have about 200
here & I shall send a Batteau to Detroit that will bring me at
least 120 Bushells this with my chance in the Vessells, I hope
will answer my demands, my principle motive for giving you
this information was, least the public Report of a Scanty [sup-
ply] might make you uneasy. I'm well provided with all the
necessary Voytures to pass your effects from hence to the
Portage44
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, May 8th, 1778.
Gentlemen of the N. W. Co. at Montreal.^
I wrote you the latter end of last month, since which Lieut
Bennett46 with Messrs McBeath & Rankin47 are arrived here in
44 "Voiture" was the French-Canadian term for any vehicle of
transportation; here, it evidently includes both canoes and small sail-
ing vessels. The Portage referred to is Grand Portage, headquarters
for the traders of the Northwest interior. For a description see ante,
p. 169, note 31. — Ed.
*5 Askin here refers to the company formed this year (1778), which
was the precursor of the North West Company. See Wis. Hist. Colls.,
xviii, p. 314, note 39; and ante, p. 163, note 20. — Ed.
46 For Lieut. Thomas Bennett see Id., xviii, p. 375, note 4. — Ed.
47 George McBeath was a prominent Mackinac trader, being one of
those who formed the sixteen-share company of 1780. In 1782, being
employed by Governor Sinclair to supply provisions for the post, he be-
came involved in financial difficulties. Capt. Daniel Robertson, how-
ever, continued him in government employ, and in 1783 sent him to
restrain the Western Indians from further hostilities and from cqm-
[ 236 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Boats, they say that we cannot expect any Vessells from De-
troit before news gets from Montreal there, but what concerns
you & me much more is, a Report that perhaps neither Fi'uir,
Corn or Rum will be suffered to come from that Post to this,
this Season. (I mean for People in Trade) its certain that
those who left Detroit this Spring were not suffered to bring
but a very small quantity nor could they get a positive answer
whether or not these articles would be Suffered to come at all or
not.
I have applied to Major De Peyster who will make known
to Governor Hamilton48 the bad consiquences of laying an Im-
bargo on Provisions & without which it is impossible that trade
can be Supported. You may depend on everything that's pos-
sible being done to prevent Disapointments. when the Vessel
arrives, I will be able to write you with more certainty, there-
fore this warning is only to yourselves.
I send off the first of your things for the Portage in three
days Consisting of Rum, Corn & what's most necessary, I shall
at same time write your Clark [clerk] to provide some place
to receive L1, Bennett & the Troops with him, until some of
Your Co. Arrives. Your Canoes are Ready.
[John Askin]
[Translated from the French.]
Michilimackinac, May 18, 1778.
IMr. McDonnell.]
Give my Compliments to Madame M°Donnell.49 There is
nothing new I have not written her. Send the Baggage of Mr.
ing to Mackinac. He held at Prairie du Chien a great council, whose
effects were beneficial. See documents in Id., xi, pp. 165-174. McBeath
continued in government employ until 1785, when he left Canada.
David Rankin was a Mackinac merchant who had connections with
Detroit. In 1781 he was a witness to the deed for the purchase of
Mackinac Island. — Ed.
48 For De Peyster and Hamilton, governors respectively of Michili-
mackinac and Detroit, see Id., xviii, pp. 344, 371. — Ed.
49 McDonnell was clerk and forwarding ag<mt for Askin at Sault Ste.
Marie. We have not been able to identify him; although he may have
[ 237 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
howard to Mr. Charles Boyez.50 I ought to furnish for Mr.
henrie 20 sacks or minots of large corn [gros Ble] 20 minots of
lyed corn and 2 Hundred weight of flour. I will put these arti-
cles in the Vessel if there is time, if not they will go at another
time. However if any one asks you in Mr. henrie's name f ?r
these articles before I can send them, have the kindness to give
him this amount from your own stores. We must try to find
a man to go in Pomp's place after the first voyage. I cannot
get on without him. I have no one at present among all my
men, one of whom is ill. You will deliver the goods of Mr.
Henrie to Mr. Cadott51 and take a receipt. You will find per-
haps some articles in your account very dear. I assure you
that everything is scarce & dear here and that it cannot he other-
wise, and I reckon that the price will increase instead of dimin-
been the John McDonnell who was clerk (1793-95), and later (1796)
partner, of the North West Company, whose journal is published by
Masson, Bourgeois, i, pp. 267-295. — Ed.
so Joseph Howard was one of the first traders under the British
regime, being in the firm with Bostwick as early as 1763. He had large
connections in Montreal, and was suspected of sympathy with the
American cause, although active in repelling the invasion of 1775.
He aided American prisoners to escape from Montreal, and in 1779 was
arrested for going to trade in the Upper Country without a license.
In 1781 he complained to the authorities that his interests suffered
from his not being allowed to visit Mackinac, whereupon he received a
permit to adjust his affairs the following year. He is known to have
been trading as late as 1790, for John Sayer was his representative at
that time on Lake Superior.
Charles Boyer would seem to have been one of Alexander Henry's
clerks. In 1780 he was with a trader named Bruce on the Assiniboine
River, when they were attacked (in the spring of 1781) by a numer-
ous band of Indians, but saved the fort after an heroic defense. Ift
1787 Boyer went out to Peace River, where be built Fort Vermilion,
near an affluent of that stream, still known as Boyer River. — Ed.
si This was the well-known trader Alexander Henry the elder, for
whom see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 277. Henry was not at this time
in the Northwest, having but recently returned from a voyage to
England; see post. He was an intimate personal friend of John
Askin, whose papers contain many of his letters. J. B. Cadotte was
his partner; see Ibid, p. 103. — Ed.
[ 238 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
ishing. Beef at Detroit is from 30lvs to 40lvs a pound & Pork
in proportion. As the quantity of sacks with each mark is not
mentioned in the account, only the number of minots, you will
find the sacks containing two minots marked 2, those of one
and a half 1%, and the others according to their quantity.
You will find somethings on your account furnished for Boulon
and La Voine last autumn ; if you have not deducted these arti-
cles from their wages, do so.
[John Askin]
[Translated from the French.]
Michilimakina, May 18, 1778.
Monsieur Bcausolcillc.
Sir — I am sending off from here a Bark loaded with goods
for the grand portage, there will also arrive at Saut Ste marie
the Loading of the other Bark which is on Lake Superior. I
send you inclosed The account of what belongs to the great
Company embarked in the two Vessels ; however As that which
is above the Saut is much more than that which is to ascend, I
have written to Mr. Barthe to divide equally between the two
Barks the Baggage that each can carry, it being sure that all
will arrive a long time before the Gentlemen of the Company
need it. They say that the Liquor & provisions that should
come from Detroit will be stopped. I assure you therefore
that it will be necessary to take great care of what you already
have. Both are very dear. Grain will sell here at 30lvs to
40lvs the minot. There are in the Vessel some things with a
letter for Mr. Chaboilliez the elder.52 I beg you to receive both
52 Not of the Chabollier family of Mackinac. Charles Jean Baptis^e
was born in 1742 at Three Rivers, son of Francois Chabollier. He be-
gan his career in the Northwest at an early age, and was one of the
few French-Canadians who became a partner in the North West Com-
pany. For several years he had a fort at Pembina; but finding (1796)
that his post was in United States territory, he destroyed it, and built
farther north. In 1804 he was head of the Assiniboine district, and
planned the expedition to the Missouri which encountered Lewis and
[ 239 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
for him and keep them until he arrives, as there is no one at
Grand Portage in his interest. You will have an officer and
several soldiers to pass the summer at Grand portage. I beg
you to try and have a house ready to receive them so that it
may be let to them. The place must have a Chimney. You
will have the goodness to have 200 pickets forty feet long made
°y 70ur men an<l erected as a barrier between the old fort and
yours. It will be the great Company's duty to furnish a dwell-
ing for the officer and his soldiers. What I have taken the
liberty to suggest to you, On the subject will be approved by
them I am very sure.
I need two pretty Slave girls from 9 to 16 years old. Have
the goodness to ask the Gentlemen to procure two for me.
I am &ca.
[John Askin]
By Mr. McDonald
Michilimackoac, May 28, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
The foregoing is the copy of a Letter I wrote you by the
way of the lakes the 8th Instant, I forgot to mention that there
was inclosed in it a small memord. for some things & affidavids
about the Martens that were missing last year. I here inclose
you the Copy of the Memord. but not the Copies of the Affi-
davids, nor bill of sale of the Land, I hope the Originals will
not miscarry, you have with this a Copy of my letter dated
the 28th of April last which left this with my other Dated the
8th of May. Your Acct Currt with me I here inclose which
comprehends every acct I received of Yours before the 1st of
January last, since which I have received one amounting to (£)
1023 1,1', 7!/4 Halifax, which I have credited your new Acct
with. Cap1 Bannerman arrived here a few days ago in their
small Vessells from Detroit with some corn & Rum for the
North Trade, he had permition to bring it forward on making
Clark among the Mandan. In 1805 he retired, and died four yeara
later at Terrebonne. — Ed.
[ 240]
1778-1815] Fur- trade on Upper Lakes
Oath, that no part of it was for any other use. I think he says
that the whole flour Allowed for the North Trade & this Post
is thirteen thousand W. not half what I want alone, so that I'm
almost certain there will be a Disapointment in this Article, but
as to all the others I hope not provided you send me the three
Canooloads of Rum. I have sent off two Vessell load for the
Portage of what I thought was most wanted, for those I have
-contracted with.
Capt. Eobertson53 got to Detroit in three days he was to
return as soon as a Vessell arrived from Niagara, the An-
gelica was on the Bar on lake Sinclair on her way here, but not
yet arrived, think of Maj. De Peyster's Situation with the In-
dians about him & not for one Shilling come for him this year,
I believe five Kegs of Rum is the whole Stock of this Post, pri-
vate Stores even counted, & its reported there is none on board
the Angelica. Please inform the Gentlemen of the !N*. W. Co.
what relates to them. Mons. Hypolite Chaboulliez'"'4 proposes
to leave this to morrow with the Indians, you'll receive this by
him
The things I ordered from London last fall I suppose will get
to Montreal about the time this letter does & as some part of
them cannot come by the way of the Grand River, they must
53 Samuel Robertson was from his youth bred a sailor, and in 1774
was sent to Detroit by the London firm of Phyn & Ellice to command
a small vessel for some of the merchants trading to Mackinac. He
sailed on Lakes Michigan and Huron until the government forbade
private vessels on these lakes. He was part owner of two small ves-
sels, besides an establishment at Sault Ste. Marie, in partnership with
John Askin and Jean Baptiste Barthe. In 1779 Robertson was com-
missioned by the governor to voyage around Lake Michigan in search
of corn, and to secure the wavering Indians of that region to British
authority. For an account of that voyage, see his journal in Wis.
Hist. Colls., xi, pp. 203-207. The following winter he was engaged in
building a wharf and several houses on Mackinac Island, preparatory
to the removal of the fort thereto. Having had the misfortune to
displease Governor Sinclair, he was arrested, and sent to Montreal for
a trial. In 1782 he was still at Quebec, awaiting trial, soon after
which he died, leaving his family resident at Niagara. — Ed.
54 For this person see Id., xviii, p. 255. — Ed.
16 [ 241 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
be risked the other way, I here inclose you a Copy of that
memord, the Articles that have no mark in the Margin, are to
come by the grand River, those marked L by the way of the
Lakes, there is others marked as per example 5 Ct. [hundred-
weight] of Powder 3 by L which means that 3 Ct. of it is to
come by the lakes & the remainder by the Grand River, other
things in the same way — of the Barrells of Pitch & Tarr, there
must be three Kegs of the former & 1 of the latter sent by the
Grand River, as also of the Cordage, there must also a Coil of
Inch & another Coil of half Inch Roap be made up the weight
of a Peice, each of them & sent by the same way. These things
I can no longer do without, I dont know how Roap is measured
in Canada, but those I mean are for Running Riging such as
Halliers [halyards] &c. of small craft. In my memord. of the
8th Instant I made a mistake ordering 2 Doz. of womans Shoes
& afterwards 12 pairs for Mrs. Askins, omit the 2 Doz. the 12
pairs is Sufficient. I owe Kitty55 her wedding Gown, as there
was nothing here fit for it Please have one made for her the
french fashion, of a light blue Sattin. I will for certain this
Season send a Yessell & perhaps Establish a house at the French
River to take things from thence here. I wish you could en-
gage men to there only, provided the Vessell meet them, or so
much more if obliged to come here, the agreement should be
Conditional to prevent Accidents or disapointments.
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, June 4, 1778.
Mr. John Hay, Detroit.™
The two Vessells, the first Canoes from Montreal & the Ottawa
Indians going to war all arrived Yesterday, the latter is now
55 "Kitty" was Askin's daughter Catharine, who had recently been
married to Capt. Samuel Robertson, noted above. After Robertson's
demise she married Robert Hamilton of Niagara, for whom see post,
note 74. — Ed.
possibly this may be Maj. Jehu Hay, later lieutenant-governor of
Detroit. He had a son John in the Indian trade, but in 1778 the latter
was hardly old enough to be the recipient of this letter. — Ed.
[ 242]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
dancing at my door, my things coming on Shore in the greatest
confusion & the Angelica preparing to Sail, all this shall not
deprive me of the pleasure of writing you a few lines in answer
to your obliging letter by Robertson. The news is that Gen.
Clinton below Albany fought and beat Gen. Gates, in which
7000 of the Enemy & their Gen. fell, before this reaches you
perhaps you'll have the Acct. more fully by Niagara, great
numbers of Canoes are on their way here from Montreal.
Lieut. Bennett left this a few days ago for the grand Portage.
I must take some other opportunity of writing you, for at pres-
ent it is next to impossible. Mrs. Askin & Mrs. Robertson
presents their best Compliments to Mrs. Hay.
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, June 6, 1778.
Mr. [Benjamin] Frobisher, Montreal.
I will attempt writing you by these Indians but cant say I
will get through, having three Vessells to fit off now, your
Canoes & my Public employment.57
St. Cir arrived last night. I have delivered him the Canoes,
all your Corn, Sugar, Gum, Bark & Watap now remaining here
shall be delivered him to Day, all the rum coming up in the
Canoes he shall also have (I expect they will arrive today). I
have this Spring got about five Barrells of Spirits up, which is
now a Drawing oft' & shall be sent, this with 60 Kegs of W. I.
Rum I borrowed of Mr. Barth is all the Liquors I can possibly
muster. I dont keep two Barrells for myself. I have not had
one pound of Flour this Season, Lt Governor Hamilton would
not Suffer more than thirteen thousand W. to leave detroit &
that only to such persons as were on the Spot, or had others to
make oath that it was for the N. W. Trade. Mr. Sterling58 has
57 Askin means his duties as commissary to the garrison at Macki-
nac.— Ed.
68 James Sterling came to America during the French and Indian
War, acted as commissary during the Oswego campaign (1759), and
at its close removed to Detroit. There he married AngSlique Cuille-
[243 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
fourteen thousand W. purchased for me, my Vessells is just
now going to Sail in order to fetch it & and what Rum I may-
have arrived at Detroit, which without one moments loss of
time shall be forwarded to the Portage. I'm in great hopes
from what Major De Peyster has wrote Lt. Governor Hamilton
with the other precautions I have taken, that not only the 1-1
Thousand hut even more may come for me if Ready. I dare
say by this time the Spring News from Canada has got to De-
troit (which was not the case when the last Yessell left it) So
that Governor Hamilton will now see that there is now no neces-
sity for Stoping the provisions in that settlement. Your Canoes
shall be loaded with what's here & at St. Mary's as nearly con-
formable to your orders as possible & I believe it will make
about their Loading. I have sent some flour forward and will
now send about a thousand W. more, so that I still hope there
will not be the least disapointment. I wish Messrs. Todd &
McGill had sent me by the Grand River the 1700 Gallons they
wrote me they would, I in many letters warned them not to
depend on the Liquors comeing the other way, & that I had
none. I know it was their great desire not to [be at] too much
expences, prevented them, but I asure you nothing hurts me so
as any persons being disapointed who depend on me, tho not my
fault. I have wrote you the most necessary [things] & must
refer the rest for an other opportunity.
Your Brothers Letter from St. Mary's which you [will re-
ceive] with this will inform you further
As it's impossible for me to write any other at Montreal by
this opportunity, please make my excuses to Madam Chaboul-
lier, I will do myself the Honour to write her in a few Days,
for the present please let her know, I will execute her orders for
the Additional Quantity of Corn she has ordered. The Rum
rier dit Beaubien, and became identified with the French habitants,
speaking their language and instructing their militia. He became one
of the prominent merchants, but during the Revolution was sus-
pected of sympathy with the Americans; about the time Askin is
writing, he was arrested and sent to Canada for safe-keeping. It does
not appear that he ever returned to Detroit. — Ed.
[ 244]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
I cannot promise untill I have fullfilled my engagements, let
her know also that her Canoes was the first men here this Spring
& took (with what was sent before) everything that Mons.
Chaboulliez was to get, except 10 Kegs of Rum & 5 bags of
Flour which shall go with the rum and Flour I'm now sending
to Detroit for. I know no person so well of in the North Trade
as he is.
Please excuse my not writing to Mr. McGill, also by this op-
portunity, I mean make my excuse to him.
Mrs. Askin & Mrs. Robertson presents their best compliments
& believe me most truly,
[John Askin]
P. S. St. Cir goes off tomorrow with the small Canoes &
whats here & leaves two large Canoes to take my Rum thats
coming by the Grand River.
Michilimackinac, June 13, 1778.
Messrs. Jos. Frobisher d Jno. McGill,** [Grand Portage or Sault Ste.
Marie] .
As I'm informed that you two have to transact the business
of the N. W. Co. this Season, I take this oppertunity of Mr.
McBeth to inform you that by letter I Received from Montreal
to day, I'm asured that there is on the way for me about 150
Kegs of Rum & Spirits all which quantity or more if it arrives
you shall have by the two Canoes St. Cir left for the purpose,
59 Joseph Frobisher was one of the most distinguished explorers and
traders of the early British forces in the Northwest. As early as 1772
he had passed beyond Lake Superior, and by 1774 penetrated to
Churchill River, whence on his return (1775) he met Alexander Henry.
It is said that he never again wintered in the interior, but came up
to Grand Portage each year to superintend his affairs. He was one
of the first founders of the North West Company, and very active in
its management. In 1798 he retired, having made a considerable for-
tune, and thereafter lived at Montreal, occupied in civic service and
hospitality.
John McGill was embarked with his brother James in the fur-trade.
He died at Montreal, December 1, 1797, aged fifty-one years. — Ed.
[245 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
or what part of it they may not be able to take with them shall
go by the first Vessell, the Grease your Mr. Jo. Forbisher or-
dered shall also go by the Canoes & if in my power I will fur-
nish the additional quantity of Rum he wrote me about, how-
ever it will first be necessary to send what I have already en-
gaged to find you. I hope the return of my Vessells from De-
troit will put it in my power to send you the remainder of
your . Rum & Flour. My Liquors that's comeing up this
[month] I'm informed was to leave Deer Island the 10th of last
Month in a Vessell that was ready to take them on Board, I
imagine that you got by the first trip of the Vessells, all that was
forwarded to you, except what your own Canoes took, for tho I
mean to serve others, yet my intention is by all means that you
have the Preference, indeed I mean to allott one of the two small
Vessells purely for your Services, only when you cannot load
her of course others may put on board, the other I mean for the
use of such other Gentlemen as may choose to ship in her.
when I have the Pleasure of seeing you here we will settle all
them matters.
I have not as yet heard from your Mr. John McGill who I'm
told is gone to the Saut St. Mary's some time ago, you have
only 50 Bushells of Corn more to receive of me, which I was
ordered to leave at the Saut for the Canoes that go down, ex-
cept the 40 lately ordered. I am very [truly]
[JoHiq- Askin]
Per Mr. McBeth
Michilimackinac, June 14, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
I hear Mr. Howard intends sending a Canoe for Montreal to-
morrow, I will therefore write you as much as time will per-
mit for the present & the remainder by some other oppertunity.
I have Received five letters from you this Season, dated the 21st
& 28th April, the 9th, 11th, & J6th May, the two first I Re-
ceived the 5th. and the three latter the 13th. Instant, I believe
there is some others from you for me, but Mr. John McGill
having taken them to St. Mary's with him, prevents their oom-
[ 246 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
ing by several days so soon as they otherwise would. Fm very
sorry you should make yourself so unhappy about the return of
my Hum last fall, Fm sure I never blemt you for it, on the
contrary Fm well persuaded when anything under your direc-
tions miscarry, the same would happen were I there in person,
I do asure you I'm under many obligations to you for the pains
you have taken about my things, I now have great hopes of see-
ing them soon & tho I may reap a great benefit by it in the sale
of some of them, what pleases me most is the having it in my
power to furnish the Gentlemen of the ST. W. Co. the re-
mainder of their Liquors after what I sent them & what is in
my Canoes, which is not yett arrived. The very clear account
you have sent me of the furrs shipt on my account as well as my
Liquors etc. in their different Situations deserves my thanks, as
I see you have not spared pains to make everything very clear
to me. I have already sent you all the proofs I can give about
the Martens that are missing, if they do not answer they
must of cource be lost. I approve of your plann of sending me
Rum whether ordered or not, if it can get up, I can never Suffer
by having a quantity, besides I can then contract with much
more Safety to myself & others. I shall not for some time be
able to examine our Accounts.
I have wrote Mr. Steadman to send me Rum in lieu of what
he took of mine, this will be more advantagious to me by much.
You forgot inclosing the Gentlemen of Garrison Accounts as
you mention, you have only noted the Sum. however, I be-
lieve this will answer for me to get payment from them, Lieut.
Bennett had already desired me to charge him his, he knew and
told me the amount, when I see my Canoes and hear from St.
Marys, I will let you know exactly what Rum & Spirits is come
for me in my own & the N*. W. Canoes. I wish you had be^n
more plain in letting me know whether they were to go to St.
Mary's or come here first, as I have kept two large Canoes of the
Co.'s here in order to take the Rum that is in mine. Old Fran-
cois is not yett arrived, but I expect him daily, I shall pay due
attention to what you say respecting his going into the North,
Fm sure he shall not with my consent & I dare say he will not
E 247 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
without. I asure you that tho' I now supply several others, be-
sides the great Co. I have a certain inclination to forward their
interest preferable to any other & tho' I would not take any
unfair means to prevent Gentlemen in that concern doing well,
yett no profit should induce me to undertake anything that
could in the least hurt a concern where so many of my friends
are interested. I'm determined never to undertake Canoes for
any but them, & one Vessell shall be sole[l]y at their disposal,
so far as they can make use of her. As to the supplying of
others with Rum, Corn etc. after I have made sure of what will
be wanted for the great Co. (as we must now term them for
distinction Sake) it can be a matter of no consiquence to that
concern, for if I do not do so others would. I'm therefore sure
it would be rather pleasing than otherwise to my friends to hear
I made money. I Received 240lvs- from Major DePeyster for
the Rum & Bisket taken by Mr. Ainse60 from Roi, & the N. W.
Co. has credit for it in their last years accounts the 28th of
June. I Received from Amable Roi61 & Lafevre £9 :6 :8
!N". Y. Cy- last Year which I omitted advising you of, charge me
with that sum, it's all I have been able to collect on acct. of yOn
& and your Brother John.
Before Lieut. Bennett left this I did what I thought was
necessary in order that your Co. at the Portage should still pass
for what it actually is, the most respectable as to proprietor &
amount. Nous Sommes fort sur Le Dernier Gout de Londres
[we are very interested in the latest London fashions] , you may
judge of Mrs. Askin & Mrs. Robertson by other ladys, for in
certain matters women are almost all alike. I believe Capt.
Robertsons Marriage will make him consent to pass some years
in this Country, I have not yet talked to him on the Subject,
«o For Joseph Ainse see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 309. — Ed.
ei Little is known of Amable Roy, an early settler of Green Bay.
He was born in Montreal, came early to the Northwest, married a
stepdaughter of the elder Langlade, and had a small farm at the
Green Bay settlement. Having no children of their own, Rcy and his
wife adopted Louis Grignon, who inherited their property after their
deaths, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. — Ed.
[ 248 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
however had there been anything entered into on his account,
you should not have been disapointed, he has too much senti-
ment to suffer it, we have time to see more in these matters, he
could have the Command of King's Vessell on these lakes, but
it realy is not worth his acceptance nor will he take it.
I hope to hear much news from you after Mrs. Todd's Arrival
from England, don't be plagueing me at this busy time with
an account of my having drawn the £2000. I shall not make
you any remittances until my own Canoes go down.
I believe I mentioned to you in my last that Robison is look-
ing out for the best harbour that can be found nearest the french
River & that I intend to build a Store there.
Please pay Mr. Benj. Frobisher one hundred Livres for me.
Mrs. Askin presents her Compliments to Mrs. McGill.
Mr. Howards Canoe has Slipt off. I wait an other Oppor-
tunity.
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, June 15, 1778.
Mr. Benj. Frobisher, Montreal.
In my last dated the 6th Instant I wrote you pretty fully
about everything relative to your North Concern, for the
present I have only to add on that head, that I every day expect
my Vessells every day with the Rum & Flour to compleat your
Co's quantity which shall be forwarded with the greatest ex-
pedition, my Canoes from Montreal are not yet arrived but I
expect them to morrow, as Capt. Robertson on his way from
taking a view of the french River, saw three which must be
them.
Mr. John McGill has got to St. Mary's several days ago if I
may judge from where Mr. Morrison02 left him, but I have not
e2 Charles Morison was of Scotch origin and came to Mackinac to
reside, about 1789. He there served as magistrate, until after the
British surrender. As a merchant he trafficked to Lake Superior, but
as an independent trader, not connected with the North West Com-
pany. He died in 1802 on his way to Montreal, and was buried at
Niagara. See Ontario Historical Society Papers, vi, p. 29. See also
his letters, post. — Ed.
[ 249 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections tVo1 ***
-as jet received the letters etc. he brought up for me. In all
your new undertakings I wish you Equal sucess to that you
have had in the North & the continuance of that also. I think
it very just that the young sett should now take the same pains
the old have done, it's true equal success can hardly be ex-
pected from such a change, added to the number of adven-
ture [r]s being Augmented, if anything I can do here exclusive
of what I'm obliged to do, can be of Service to the concern, it
never shall be wanting.
This place affords no news which I can send you in return
to your's, which I thank you for.
I received the hundred Livres Galliard owed you & have
wrote to Messrs. Todd & McGill to pay you that sum, as we
nave no other account open with each other to my knowledge.
I return you thanks for the Printed engagements you were so
kind as to send me, they will be very serviceable & prevent
some trouble. I have this day promoted a very necessary Ordi-
nance, which is, that no person can hire an Engage without
seeing a proper discharge from his former Master, or a Certifi-
cate from the Commanding Officer why he has none, & what
strenthens this is all the Merchants having Signed it & invested
the Commanding Officer with Authority to make such agressor
pay 1000lvs- without the power of afterwards sueing for it, there
is something more to prevent carrying from any place persons
in Debt who are not hired, the like is to take place at the
Portage, so that I hope things will soon be on a better footing.65
[John Askin]
Michilimackixac, June 17, 1778.
Mr. John Hay, Esq., Detroit.
As a true Irishman I want to tell you that at this present
time I have nothing to say, or rather that is worth your hear-
63 These plans for the better regulation of voyageurs or engages
are very interesting. A number of the engagements of this period
are in the Wisconsin Historical Library, and samples thereof will ba
given post. — Ed.
[ 250]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
ing, all the Spring news from Montreal you must have had.
Your last canoes from Montreal left about the 1 6th of May, at
which time there was not any Vessells Arrived from London, or
any part of Europe at Quebec.
Messrs. Langlade & Gotiez are on their way from LaBay
here with above two himdred Warriors who are going down the
Country.64
Mr. Charles Morrison is with us & gives a much better Ac-
count of the Rebbels behaviour respecting what they call justice
than any I have heard, as to public matters he was kept in the
dark as much as if he had riot been in the Country, he got
twenty eight of their paper Dollars for a half Joe before he
•came away, judge the repute their Currency is in.
This is my buisy time, I shall therefore conclude by present-
ing Mrs. Hay & Family with Mrs. Askin & my Compliments
T am etc.
[John Askin]
Michili mackinac, June 22nd, 1778.
Messrs. Todd d McGill, Montreal.
My Canoes are now arrived & have brought everything in
;good order & agreeable to the invoice, except in Bale N0, 7 : a
small white Shirt in lieu of a large one Ruffled, Bale ~N° : 3 wants
a Shirt of Russia Sheeting, a pair of Russia Trousers & a pair
of Oxhide Shoes, 4 also wants a Shirt of Russia Sheeting.
The things from England are really well choose & please me
much, however a fiddle which I had mentioned in that memory-
is left out, & tho' such an omition can be of no consiqucnce to
persons who can supply the want at the next Shop, it is so differ-
ent here, that I would not for ten Guineas it had not come,
please purchase one for me at Montreal without fail, let the
price be about £6 Hallifax, I sent you a memord. this Spring
in which a fiddle was mentioned, that one is also to come, its for
For this expedition see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 368, 369, with
«accompanying notes. — En.
[251]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
an other person, please not to forget a quantity of strings with
the fiddles.
I approve much of your plann of forwarding Rum as soon as
you received it, no matter what Quantity if it gets on, for ex-
cept I have it here before hand, I will not make any more
positive contracts, the freight of what came in my Canoes will
1 dare say cost as much as I get for the whole Rum, but this
is not what gives me the greatest uneasyness it's the fear of the
N. W. Co. not receiving the whole of the Quantity in time,
during these troubles I know of no other way of contracting
with them, but fixing a price on what of the rum comes by the
Lakes & letting them have that by the Grand River at first
cost & Expences (I want no profit on it) they must allow me
Commissions for purchasing their Corn, flour etc. for the
Bushell of Corn this year costs me 32sh. & I furnish it for 24sh_
I received my shirts by Mr. Soloman65 who arrived here in
eighteen Days.
I have no time at present to examine the Accounts, but shall
as soon as more at leisure, [as] I intend sending off my
Canoes in about ten days time, I cannot, there is above three
hundred Warriors going down. Robertson has been detained
with my Vessells untill they go off.
Mrs. Askin presents her compliments to Mrs. McGill in which
I join with all my heart I am etc.
[John Askin]
Per Campau
Michilimackinac, June 23rd, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
Looking over the letters yet unanswered I find yours of the
25th. Ult°. to which I made no reply in my Yesterdays letter
I'm very glad that there is so great a likelyhood of my Rumm
arriving so soon. I daily expect the Angelica & the Vessells I
sent for the flour here, perhaps my Rum may be on board, the
Tarr & Kettles are not pressing articles, I can do without them
cb For this trader see Ibid., p. 254, note 50. — Ed.
[ 252 ]
i778-i8i5j Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
some time, provided the pitch gets safe here, & as to the cheese
please replace it with another Hamper this Year. The Cana-
dian Pork & loaf Sugar which you mention being Short of my
order of the 18th, Sep. 1777, I can well do without, but the
'Covering Nails & common Wine are both very Saleable articles,
however as there is a large Quantity of the former of these
articles comeing or come out for me, it will be needless to pur-
chase others at Montreal. Old Francois goes for Detroit he
intends living there. I shall send a Young Brother in law of
mine66 to take his place at Millwakee as much on acct of the
Corn to be got there as the Peltry. I am under many obliga-
tions to you for the Uncommon pains you have been at in order
to insure the speedy passage of my things by the Lakes. I will
be attentive to what you mention respecting the time of pay-
ment of such drafts as I shall draw on You. I am in such
want of Waistcoats & Breeches that I beg you will have imme-
diately purchased for me six or eight Yards of fine white Cloth,
which with sutable trimings please send me by the very first
oppertunity, hardly any person will refuse to embark so small
a Bundle on being paid for so doing, the kind of Buttons I
would choose is plain double gilt with eyes if to be had, if
not with Ivory buttons, but eyes answers best as they can be
taken off when washing.
The want of Breeches makes me dwell so long on the Sub-
ject, in order to insure their coming I am etc.
[John Askin]
Per Campau
Michilimackinac, June 23rd, 1778.
Mr. Alex. Henry, Montreal.
I suppose by this time you are returned from England & of
cource expect to hear from your old Acquaintances.
«« No doubt this was Louis (called Louison) Barthe, born in 1760,
and living in his latter years at Amherstburg, near Detroit. During
the War of 1812-15 he was employed as interpreter, and accompanied
Hobert Dickson and others on the Prairie du Chien expedition (181-f).
[ 253 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
I sent your Corn & flour to St. Mary's agreeable to your
letter to me on that Subject. I did not go to Detroit last fail
as I intended when I seen you last, these troublesome times
causes many disputes in which A man often gets involved, not
withstanding his great desire to the contrary. I therefore-
thought it most prudent to stay where I'm sure to live in peace.
I'm building a new house out of the Fort and intend to make
use of it untill the present warr is at an end, & then shall change
my Quarters, but where to I know not as yet. Lyons wintered
with us here & Bostwick67 went to the Illinois, he is returned
with a large Bag Diamaonds & other precious Stones. Kitty is-
Married to Capt. Robertson and joins with Mrs. Askins in com-
pliments to you I am as usual
[John Askin]
Per Campau
Michilimackinac, June 29th, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
I have answered the last of your letters in two I wrote you by
Mr. Campau, the 22. & 23. Instant, their Copies you shall
have by this oppertunity if time will pernA
Your Clerks or some other have made a very great mistake
in the Tea they sent me, it is not only the most common sorts
of green Tea, but so bad besides that I would prefer the Bohea
to it ten to one, besides its comeing in Paper in a bale has still
done it some damage by bruising it into powder. I shall send
you a Sample of it which will be the best proof of its quality,.
Please Credit me the difference of price, it's charged 15s Halli-
fax. My Canoe goes to morrow, not all loaded with my own
It is not probable that he remained long at Milwaukee, as during the
winter of 1779-80 he was assisting Samuel Robertson on the island of
Mackinac. — Ed.
67 Benjamin Lyons appears to have been in partnership with Askiny
the firm being mentioned in 1780 as Askin, Lyons & Bostwick. He
was at Mackinac as early as 1776 and as late as 1800. Both De Peyster
and Sinclair used him in aid of the government.
For Henry Bostwick see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 238. — Ed.
[254]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Packs, as I have not yet had any from St. Mary's, I will take
some for Mr. Lyons & he will take as many for me. The
Strouds you now send are the worst I ever have seen, those to
Mr. Lyons excepted, it hurt his trade I know & as he would be
perhaps delicate about complaining, I thought proper to men-
tion it you.
You will doubtless send me some Canoes with the part of my
things that comes from England, which I have mentioned was
to come by the Grand River, you may hire them for certain to
come to the entrance of the lake only, as I will send People in a
few days to Build there as I would choose however that all was
examined it will be necessary to send an account of the con-
tents of each Package, directed to the person acting for me
there & if you could without too much trouble send the account
of the Packages both in french & english, so much the Better,
however, I mean to send an Englishman.
I here inclose you a list of what goods I shall want for that
place for the Winter of which please send me a separate In-
voice as they are for Mr. Lyons & me, half the amount of which
lo be charged to each of our account separately. In about
eight days I will be able to send you some remittances in Bills
etc.
"No Yessell yet from Detroit, you'll be surprized when I tell
you that we have not heard from Niagara this Year, so of
cource we got no letters that are come by the way of the lakes
we have no news worth communicateing. Pray dont forget the
white cloth for my Breeches & the trimings. Mrs. Askin joins
in Compliments to Mrs. McGill. I am etc.
[John Askin]
Michiljmackinac, June 30th, 1778.
Messrs. Holmes & Grants [Lake Superior}.
I received a letter for your Mr. Wm. Holmes this morning
which I now send you, no news here of Vessells yett Arrived at
«8 William Holmes was one of the early British traders in the far
Northwest. In 1776 he was in the interior with Alexander Henry and
[ 255 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Quebec, there is now full liberty for Provisions to come from
Detroit, owing to a large Quantity on the Road for the Crown.
The Provisions for your Canoes that go down shall be at
St. Mary's in good time. I'm sorry to inform you of an Acci-
dent that happened poor James, fireing the Cannon on board
he had the most part of his hand blown off, nothing but the
thumb and part of the fore finger remains, I hope he may re-
cover, but cannot say anything for certain yet. I most trueiy
pity the poor lad. Mrs. Askin presents her Compliments, I
shall conclude by wishing you much Success. I am
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, July 2nd, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
Mons. Thierry69 goes off to day in a light Canoe well maned,
which makes me think his passage will be short & you will re-
ceive this before several others I wrote you some time ago. I
received Yours of the 7th. Ult° & am sorry to hear Beaver is
fallen, did I know any_ certain price I could give for furrs, I
could have purchased some parcells.
Tho the Vessells from Europe are long a comeing, yet I
dare say nothing has happened them, its necessary they now
take more precaution than formerly. Mr. Lyons suffers much
by his goods not comeing, he is obliged to keep men whose pro-
visions are now very dear, corn will not be had for 30lvs* in a
few days, added to all this had they come up in the Spring he
could have Sold them to government, with this I send you the
Charles Patterson; and in 1780 was, with his partner Grant, a stock-
holder in the North West Company. In 1790 he sold his share to John
Gregory. Which one of the numerous Grants was his partner, can-
not be determined. James Grant was a Montreal outfitter in 1778 and
1782; John, Charles, and William Grant were all traders to the North-
west in 1786. — Ed.
«9 Pierre Thierry was born in Montreal in 1750. His occupation was
conductor of canoes, which he brought up the Grand (Ottawa) River
to Mackinac. He was frequently at the latter place, and signed the
register of marriage as late as 1804. — Ed.
[ 256 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Copy of a Letter I wrote you the 29th. Ult°- as also a memord.
for some Goods for Mr. Lyons & me for the trade at the en-
trance of the french River, and as there is several things in this
Memord. to be made up at Montreal, it cannot get to you too
soon. Three Canoes loaded with furrs will set off this evening,
or to morrow morning.
I write the X. W. Co. by this oppertunity, I'm so hurry ed
that I can only add that I am etc.
no news of Lorty yett
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, July 2nd, 1778.
Gentlemen of the N. W. Co., Montreal.
I wrote you formerly that I had sent a Vessell of mine to
Detroit for flour & Rum for you, at her arrival Governor
Hamilton did not think proper to suffer any provisions, I mean
flour, to leave the Settlement, however a Vessell arriving from
Niagara with some provisions & bringing an acct. that there
was great quantities on the way, there was an order published
that every person with permition might send what Quantity
they thought proper, but this served no great purpose as my
Vessell was ordered along side of the Kings & what clothing,
Liquors etc. for this garrison were put on board her, & not only
that, but merchants had permission to put things on board as
well as myself. I asked the Master of the Vessell if he repre-
sented to the Governor that the Vessell was not in the Service
& therefore not subject to carry for every person, he says he did
& even mentioned that after he had taken the King's things on
board, he desired that he might make up the rest of the loading
with mine, & that the Governor told him I could not have any
preference over others. If what he says be true, I realy think
it a hardship. I imagine Major DePeysters letter to Gover-
nor Hamilton explained fully his reasons for letting my Ves-
sells go to Detroit. I dont want there should be any complaints
about these matters, I only mean to show you that I or no other
person in these troublesome times can asure you about Pro-
17 [ 257 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
visions, or anything Else, all I received was four thousand of
flour & 48 Kegs of Rum which I dispatched immediately for
the Portage. I expect more in a few days, as it comes here I
will forward it till I at last get your quantity or more. I am
etc.
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, 2nd July, 1778.
Richard Dobie^o Esq., Montreal.
I have only time to inform you that I have received the
thirty otters remaining due me. Messrs. Hippolite Chaboull-
iez & Co. wrote to you & as I had sent you back the note the
22nd. Ult., I gave them a Receipt which you will please take up
when you deliver the note. I mentioned that the otters were
not choice, since which I got good ones in their Stead, as least
such as pass for good here, the Quantity I had to choose from
was not great. By my Canoes that leave this to morrow you
will receive the whole of the Beaver & otters made up in three
Packs. Kitty is now at Detroit. Mrs. Askin joins in Com-
pliments to Mrs. Dobie, I am with esteem etc.
[John Askin]
Michilimackinac, July 3rd, 1778.
Messrs. Todd & McGill, Montreal.
I here inclose you an Acct. of 42 Packs the contents of each
pack seprately, the amount of the whole in their supposed
value amounting to 10303 Livres or ancient Shillings, the
guides were present when each pack was made up & seen their
contents. There is three packs also belonging to Mr. Dobie &
3 of Mr. Perinaults71 the Acct. of which I send them, the
Guides also were present when they were made up, as to six
to Richard Dobie was a well-known Montreal merchant, being in
business there as early as 1763. He was, however, not among the
founders of the North West Company. — Ed.
71 Very little is known of this trader, who is mentioned as ''trading to
Lake Superior," in Midi. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xx, p. 280. — Ed.
[ 258 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
for Mr. Alex. Ellis72 & 54 which Mr. Lyons sends, their con-
tents are unknown to the Guides. You have likewise inclosed
the men's Ace* in so plain a manner as will not admit of any
dispute, by it you'll see there is a ballance due them of 5D16Wi
for remainder of wages, Equipments etc. which You'll please
charge me with.
There is one man named Couroy in your list to whom you
advanced 74ivs I can hear of no such person, or no other in his
stead. You'll please receive 90lvs from Mr. Dobie & as much
from Mr. Perinault, for freight of their Packs, Mr. Lyons &
McBeath, I settle with here for freight of theirs.
Since Settlement I sold the guide for 110lys which please de-
duct from what is due him.
I dont know if I before mentioned to you to charge the Gen-
tlemen s Acct. of this Garrison to me, I mean Lieutenants Ben-
nett, Clows,73 & Doctor Mitchell.74 I am Dear friends etc.
[John Askin]
1784: SALES AT MONTREAL
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 1, p. 109.]
Montreal 11 October 1784.
Dear Sirs — We now enclose you copies of the different
Sales of Furs shipped last year for your account, on which it
is pleasing to remark there arrises a very handsom profit vizt
72 Alexander Ellice, born at Knockleith in 1743, was a Scotch mer-
chant of good family, who had emigrated to New York and laid the
foundation of a considerable fortune. Being a Loyalist he removed
at the beginning of the Revolution to Montreal, where he founded the
firm of Inglis, Ellice & Co. About 1780 he returned to England as
head of the London house, leaving his brother Robert as manager of
the Montreal business. Alexander's son Edward became prominent in
the fur-trade, effected the union of the North West and Hudson's Bay
companies, and became a member of the British cabinet. — Ed.
73 For this person see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 393. — Ed.
74 Doctor Mitchell is noted in Ibid., p. 496. — Ed.
[ 259 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
on those of mark (B) ) £794. i. 7.
on do mark (A) ) if purchased from M° Comb. 34. 6. 2d.
on do I A A 41.19. 5
on do I A-T. W. C. 752.12.3
on do I B A (Barthe) 349.11.3
£1972" 10*8 Sterling
equal to £2191.14. 1 Currency carried to the credit of your
Account. It would afford us satisfaction could we hold out to
you similar hopes against another year, but we fear much for
deer Skins, as the quantity going home greatly exceedes that of
last year & we are sorry to remark that those from the Messrs.
MaCombs75 turn out a very inferior quality, nor are the Racoons
of this parcle any thing so good as those of last years and to
add to these untoward circumstances there is yet near to 400
packs not come down, on which we fear an additional premium
of 2 per cent must be paid as there remains but small hopes of
our being able to get them a board the vessells which are to sail
from Quebec on the 25th. Inst.
Ever since the arrival of our Mr. Todd our time has been so
much taken up with baling Furrs & providing Funds to answer
the heavy drafts from above that we have not looked into the
accounts he brought down & we must now deferr it until all the
shipping are gone.
We have now nearly made provision to get through the busi-
ness this year with the same regard to your drafts as heretofore,
75 The Macombs, Alexander and William, were Irish born, coming
while quite young to America, with their parents, and settling (1755)
at Albany. About 1772 they removed to Detroit, where the sons be-
came the most prominent merchants of the town, and acted as govern-
ment agents during the Revolution.
Alexander married Catherine Navarre in 1773, In 1785 he removed
to New York City, where on Broadway he built a palatial home, which
was rented to President Washington as the first executive mansion.
The son of Alexander, bearing the same name, entered the United
States army and arose to eminence. The father died in 1831 at
Georgetown, D. C.
William Macomb, brother and partner of Alexander, remained in
Detroit, where he died in 1796, leaving three sons. — Ed.
[ 260]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
that is, that no man can say he has ever called twice for money
that was due. we think we may now flatter ourselves with
things going on more smoothly in future & that we shall he
more free from perplexity & anxiety than has been the case for
two or three years past.
We have hitherto as you may have observed declined making:
any charge for our Trouble of shipping Purrs to England, thor
most certainly it creates more employment than importing
Goods, nor is it our intention to make any charge on what ia
past, but on all future Shippments as well as on those of this
year we mean to make charge of One & a half per cent, which
we dare say you will think reasonable for that kind of Agency.
The Merchants at home charge 2% Per ct. altho' they never see
a Skin, whilst we are obliged to do everything ourselves & we
assure you it is not a small business to go properly through with.
We are with much esteem, Dear Sirs your sincere Friends
Todd & McGill
Messrs. John Askin & Co.
1786: RETURNS UNSATISFACTORY
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 167.]
Montreal 12 April 1786
Dear Askin — I must not let the first opportunity of the
Spring slip over without my personal Respects & I hope they
will find you well in your health & a fair prospect of plentiful
Returns from the Indian Country.
The Firm having wrote you on business; leaves me nothing
further to say on that head than to enjoin you by every turn of
friendship to leave no stone unturned in order to make remit-
tances, for on this Summer depends even our existance as much
of Character & Credit. The very scanty payments we made
last year, has left us indebted with our Friends in England, so
largely that Todd writes us he was under the necessity of relin-
quishing every Scheme of business except the shipping a few
dry Goods & some Rum, being afraid to run further in debt
[261]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
and perhaps even met with a refusal of further Credit. Thi3
situation I must not tell you the cause, least it should have an
appearance of reproach, your own feelings will dictate what
must be wise. I have no occassion to say more than that I de-
pend confidentially on your acting in consequence. Do not sup-
pose that, because I have been complaining for years past, the
necessity is not greater than it was the case is much altered — •
a bad trade here, a scarcity of money & no doubt the sum owing
us from above ; but why should I detain you with the exposition
of affairs, knowing that you will leave nothing undone that may
be in your power to accomplish. I forsee & know that very
few Goods will be sent to Detroit this Season & it might have
been a good year to push, but it is out of our power, therefore I
advise you to husband well your dry Goods & if you order any
that you may be as sparing as possible. Michilimakinac will
be greatly overstocked, insomuch that it would not surprise me
were goods sent from that Post to Detroit.
I cannot yet say anything certain to you about the price of
Purrs, but I am pursuaded deer skins, have sold badly & I fear
Bear & otter have had a tumble. I advise you strongly to
change all your late fall & winter deer Skins for Racoons &
Picheux [lynx] but Poxes are really worth no more than 4sh.
york a good Paccoon large size is better & two Paccoons or one
Picheux as they were of more value than a deer skin, except
it be a good red, very short blue [ ?] or parchment Buck.
Your Eriends of the Northwest are making a larger outfit
this year than they did the last & are going to build a small
vessel at the Portage.76 their great success last year enables
them to undertake anything & I make no doubt they will con-
tinue successful, which on some of their accounts I most sin-
cerely wish.
It is generaly thought that Sir Guy Carleton who is ex-
pected early to be our Governor77 will permit small vessals of
private property on the Lakes, should that be the case you will
70 For early vessels on Lake Superior see ante, p. 170, note 32. — Ed.
77 For a brief notice of Carleton see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 288,
note 10. — Ed.
[ 262 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
no doubt wish to have one, but it will be prudent to wait till his
determination is known & so soon as we do know it, you shall
hear from us.
I hope you will push Barthe to convert everything into Re-
turns this Season, he says he intends it as well to pay you as us,
the Balance he owes is very near to 70000lv8- Houses and
lands can never produce much benefit to Merchants & it may be
the properest time to sell them before the final determination of
Government is known respecting the Posts, excepting a House
for my business I would not wish to have any dead property in
a country where for want of Courts of Justice, Tenures must
be very insecure.
Your daughter Madelion is in perfect health & when a proper
opportunity offers, It is my intention to fulfil Mrs. A skin's &
jour wish by sending her up & I am pretty certain you will find
her "bien entendue dans le menage"78 insomuch that I fancy
you will not keep her many years Madamoiselle. I expect Todd
froni England early & as there will be little to do here, he may
probably pay you a visit, taking Madelion with him.
Mrs. McGill requests Mrs. Askin with your good self &
Family to accept her best Complements and believe that I am,
Dear Askin Your affectionate Friend
James McGill.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 185. Translated from the
French.]
Detroit June 30, 1786.
Monsieur Durand
Sir — I do not reproach you for the past, that is no use. I
only say to you, that I have supported you As well as many
™ "Well-taught in the art of housekeeping." Madeleine Askin mar-
ried Dr. Robert Richardson, a surgeon of Amherstburg, Ont., who
was appointed to the Indian department during the War of 1812-15.
While acting as surgeon for the British, he was captured by Perry's
fleet, but was later released, and in 1815 was acting as clerk of court
at Sandwich. His wife died young, leaving small children, one of
whom, Maj. John Richardson, afterwards became a well-known novel-
ist and traveller. — Ed.
[ 263 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
others, when I can scarcely support my self to day. Monsieur
Vigoe79 seems to be among your friends, and assures me that
you will do me justice for the loss so I content myself for the
present. It gives me much pain that when I could serve you,
you have detached yourself from me. I hope that you will
see that it will be for your interest to return and I believe that
I will not have any difficulty in getting for you Merchandise
from our Company. There were 226 of your Deer skins with
several Bears that were so bad that I have them here yet. In
this regard I have done for the best, for the bad Skins have not
brought enough to pay for half the expense. The 27 of Sept,
1784 I sent you your account by Mr. Vigoe amounting then
to 26,279lvs 17s & at present it makes the sum of 221 0£ llsh
New York Currency, without interest, and all that you have
sent me credited as you will see by the Account & I can assure
you that I have lost well by the Sale of your Peltries, as on
those of others as I can prove. However that is not your fault.
I only have to add, that I have not yet lost hope for you, and
that you will have a Good Opportunity This year to recoup all
that you have lost. I am Sir your Servant
[John" Askln-]
Mr. Jean Durand^o
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 187.]
Montreal 16 July 1786.
Dear Sir — Since ours of the 8th July, we are favored with
your letters of the 22d & 27 ult and as our Mr. Todd will we
dare say be with you when this gets to hand, it is the less neces-
sary for us to write you at length. But we cannot help ex-
pressing much uneasiness that on the 22d of last month you
were still unacquainted how, many of your Customers had made
out, for we have allways thought that at so advanced a time of
70 For Vigo see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 466, note 91. — Ed.
«o Jean Durand appears to have traded to the Illinois, where in 17801
he was sued at Cahokia. The same year he was at Mackinac, and of-
fered to guide Langlade's forces to the Illinois River. — Ed.
[264]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
the year it was in every bodys power to tell pretty nearly the
prospect of their returns, and from your silence on that head we
are really concerned.
The Person gone off, whose name you do not mention, we
suspect to be Lorimier,81 should that be the Case we fear you
suffer greatly by him, having recollection of your saying in a
former leter that he owed you largely.
In sending off the last boats from La Chine a few barrels of
Rum were put into them not charged in the Invoice, from our
suppossing enough of other things to load the Battoes, and as
they may reach you before a regular Invoice is furnished, we
shall note their numbers and Contents at Bottom.
Part of the Packs A B being come to hand we cannot help
taking nottice to you of this apparently inferior quality, they
appear all to be long hair Skins, which are of all the others the
fii Louis Lorimier, son of the trader Peter, was born in 1748 at La
Chine, near Montreal. In 1769 the father and son came to the West-
ern country and established their trading house on the portage be-
tween Great Miami and Maumee rivers, on the creek which has since
been known as Laramie's. They acquired large influence with • the
Shawnee of the neighborhood, and during the Revolution acted as
British agents. Either father or son accompanied the expedition that
in 1778 captured Daniel Boone. In 1782 the Kentuckians raided the
Miami, captured Lorimier's store, and plundered and burned the
goods. The owner barely escaped with his life, and never again re-
turned to the site, establishing instead a temporary encampment upon
the Maumee. Louis Lorimier removed to Spanish territory in 1786 or
1787; it is his contemplated removal thither, to which reference is
here made. He attracted to his neighborhood a considerable band of
Shawnee and Delaware Indians, and in 1793 received a grant from the
Spaniards at Cape Girardeau. He was likewise made captain of
militia and commandant. His journal for the year 1793-94 was found
among the Louisiana papers in the archives of Seville. In 1796 he
revisited the United States as Spanish agent to attract still more In-
dians to the west of the Mississippi. He expressed great regret at
the cession of Louisiana to the United States, and in 1804 entertained
the retiring Spanish commandant at the "Red House," Lorimier's
homestead at Cape Girardeau. In 1806 he was one of the commis-
sion to lay out the town, where in 1812 he died, leaving a large estate
and several children, one of whom was educated at West Point, and
entered the United States Army. — Ed.
[ 265 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections rvoi. xix
worst; insomuch that a Battoe load of them is not worth the
expense of sending for them to S* Dusky were they to he got
on the Beach, now that you have got into a Company at De-
troit, if you do not adopt some measure to prevent the Traders
from taking such trash, ruin must insue infallibly, we request
of you also to advise that the Chuck Skins tho mostly in good
Season, are exceedingly unfit for the London Market, owing
to the manner in which they were stretched and altho' Mr.
Vigoe may be of opinion that the Skins are not the less good, we
can assure you that their value is much inferior at that Market
by which we must all be regulated. Some part of the V
Packs being baled up before your letter desiring them to be
baled apart came to hand we cannot now follow your directions,
but that you may see the difference in the G. A, we shall make
them up under a separate mark. In hopes that your next ad-
vices may bring us more satisfactory accounts, we are with
Sentiments of friendship and esteem, Dear Sir Your sincere
Friends
Todd & McGill
Mr. John Aslcin.
1789: SUPPLIES FOR NORTH WEST COMPANY
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 321.]
Sir — Yours of this date with proposals for Supplying the
North West Company with a Certain Quantity of Hulled In-
dian Corn & Flower during the Space of Three years, in ans-
wer to Which, I do Hereby Accept of the Proposal therein Con-
tained, for the quantity of Each Article & at the Prices therein
Specified — the Payment for which Shall Be Made in Montreal
pr Messrs. McTavish Frobisher & Co. on the fifteenth day of
October After the Delivery. I am Sir, Yours most Hbl Ser*
Joim Gregory82
Agent for the North West Company
Detroit 26th Septr 1789.
John Askin Esq.
82 John Gregory was in the Northwest by 1778 as partner of James
Findley, his brother-in-law. Gregory was one of the founders of the
[ 266 ]
1778-1815! Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1790: OUTFITTING AT GTlEEN BAY
[Letters from Pierre Grignon to Pierre Antaya. MS. in Wisconsin
Historical Library, Grignon letter book, pp. 66-G8. Translated from
the French.]
La Baie 25th August, 1790.
To Mr. Antaya at la prairie.^
Sir — I hope that your health has been good since yon left me
to follow the fortune which certainly should await you, if the
vows that I have made on your behalf are listened to. You
have begun your task under very advantageous circumstances,
and I do not doubt in spite of the ambitious measures of cer
tain people, that you will succeed. I congratulate you in ad-
vance, and request you to await the invoice that I am sending
to the prairie. I believe you are too honest to wish to take ad-
vantage of my confidence, and although things have been said
of you at Michilimakinack of which I shall send you the de-
tails when I send my consignment, I have abated nothing of
North West Company, and made his headquarters in Montreal, going
up to Grand Portage each year. In 1791 he had two shares in the
concern, having bought out the interest of William Holmes. In 1804
he signed the agreement for union with the X Y Company, and
seems to have retired soon thereafter. — En.
Pierre Pelletier dit Antaya has long been recognized in Wiscon-
sin history as one of the founders of the village of Prairie du Chien,
but little has been known of his personality. These letters addressed
to him by Pierre Grignon of Green Bay make it possible to estimate
Antaya's standing as a trader. He was probably a native of Canada,
but removed early to the Illinois country, where the family is known
to have settled as early as 1751. The registers of Ste. Genevieve fre-
quently contain this name; and a granddaughter of Antaya, who died
in 1902 at Prairie du Chien, asserted that her mother was born in:
St. Louis in 1775. The tradition is that the Antaya family came to
Prairie du Chien in 1781, possibly with a desire to be under British
rather than Spanish or American protection. The following letters
indicate Antaya's close connection with the traders at Mackinac. He
appears to have had relations with the Fox Indians, and his wife is
reported to have been of that race. He probably died before Pike's
visit in 1805, and his immediate descendants were daughters who
married into the La Pointe and Fraser families. — Ed.
[ 267 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
my belief in you, since I allowed you to make your choice from
among my Goods. There is no doubt that if you had succeeded,
they would have made you many offers, but do not allow your-
self to be surprised, and distinguish between the one who
serves you as a friend, and those whose only view is to make a
profit by fawning upon you. For you should not Doubt that tha
\ ne who] trusts in your probity will still believe therein
if you do your best, and try to work for our mutual advantage.
I have never wasted my Goods, and I do not think I am doing
so now in trusting to you. You ought therefore to have a just
idea of this and strive to justify my confidence. It is your
place now to respond thereto. Believe me I pray, Yours &c
[Pierre Grignon]
I cannot go myself to see you, you yourself see the impossi-
bility, but I send to you in my place, one who will give you
what you need, and will arrange everything for the best. Wait
for him I beg you. Without turning aside from what you
have done you may prove to me by this, that I am right in being
your servant and good friend.
La Baie 12 Sept. 1790.
To Mr. Antaya at la prairie.
Sir — I repeat the greeting I have already sent to you, and
within six days I will send you the proof of my remembrance,
persuaded that you will render me one in return. I extend it
also to what you have told me and to what I have written you
myself. Do not be impatient at the delay, I do not Think that
it can be prejudicial to you, and when [the goods] arrive, I beg
you to notice that I have done for you as well as I can, but not
what I would wish. I think that we shall be ready as soon
as the others, and it will be enough for you at present to know
that the Goods that I have promised you will not be wanting,
and that you will not fail to receive them. Once en route you
may believe they will not be slow in reaching you. It is your
duty after that to respond to my good faith. I have treated
you with all possible frankness, persuaded that you will take
[ 268 ]
1778 1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
account thereof, and that I make no mistake in trusting you.
Do not make an arrangement with anyone else, and do not be-
lieve them ; as I have already said, their offers may be advan-
tageous for the moment, that the desire for your furs influences
them. I do not think that you have had occasion to complain
of the Beginning, keep to the same arrangement in the future,
and it may be even more advantageous for you.
Believe me to be one who is with Sincerity your Servant
P. G.
La Baie 24 Sept. 1790.
'To Monster Antaya at La prairie.
Sie — I fulfill my engagements with you, and send you the
•Canoe that I have promised. I trust that you will likewise
keep your promise, therefore I do not diminish the invoice ex-
cept by what may be necessary in case of the foundering of the
merchandise itself, for fear of giving you useless expense. Sup-
posing that you are not without provisions, I have sent the
voyageurs off with what will last only until they meet the
Savages, from whom they must get enotfgh to last as far as la
prairie. My preceding letters have sufficiently advised you
of my Sentiments since I cannot Doubt the successful result of
my Confidence in you, and now I expect return therefor. I
should never do the same again if you should deceive me. You
•see yourself the Damage you can Cause me. A Canoe without
provisions in an advanced season is not one to enter the win-
tering country. Besides it is the articles you have requested
of me, that have caused this to go out unassorted, unlike a Canoe
I should send into winter quarters. It goes under your name,
I hope that you will be prompt, and that you will have a good
journey in order to give me the pleasure of seeing you again
next Spring. In that hope I am Your &c.
P. G.
[ 269 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1791-92: CONDITIONS AT MACKINAC
[Source, same as preceding document, but pp. 70, 76. Translated from
the French.]
La Baie [June 25, 1791].
To Mr. Cotte
Sir — I received your last which leads me to think that your
health is good, since you do not speak of it. It is not true of
my own of which I have nothing good to say. Nothing new in
our little Country. There are few events that can disturb your
province and some fortunate ones that you may suppose I am
not a little interested in. I cannot but be charmed with your
share, and congratulate you on the successful return of your
traders to Quebec, as well as to Makinack. I cannot leave a?
early as you Wished. I shall not embark for six days, but
that need not retard you at all. Do your business, I have no
Choice to make in your Goods, and what is left will be all right
for me, so you may depart for le pick84 without waiting for
me. We will have time to see one another on your return.
Adieu, Sir, I have performed your Commissions, do likewise for
me. Persuading you that I am &c.
P. G.
\
La Baie [June 16, 1792].
Monsieur Gabriel Cotte.
Sir — I have had the pleasure of learning by your Canoe
that you have safely arrived at Makinac in good health. T
wish that it may continue to be the Best possible. I Thank
you for the interest you take in mine. It is good enough,.
84 Le Pic was a trading post on the north shore of Lake Superior,
about 200 miles from S'ault Ste. Marie. It was not founded until
after the beginning of the English regime. Probably it belonged to
Cotte, who was an independent trader and did not join the coalition.
Later, the post passed into the hands of the North West Company, and
for many years was maintained by Hudson's Bay Company people.
The Canadian Pacific Railway now crosses Pic River near its mouth„
and not far from the site of the old fur-trade post. — En.
[ 270]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
I have nothing to complain of at present, I yield to your
desires in regard to the House,85 and against my own in-
terests. After having refused five thousand livres for it, for
fear of harming you, I offer it to you for three thousand five
hundred in order to conclude with you in good friendship, all
the more since you do not intend to Eeturn any more.86 I hope,
Sir, that for your part, you will be gallant enough not to
trouble me in the choice of Goods, it is with that expectation
that I do not wish to disturb Mr. Billon87 in the Clauses of the
transfer. I entered into a bargain with this Gentleman to sell
you my Peltries, but he has not been willing to give me my
Price, which however was not Large considering the quality of
the Peltries, which I can say is of the Best. My wife Thanks
you very much for wThat you sent her and prays you to believe
that she is very grateful therefor, and as for me, I have the
honor of being Yours
[Pierre Grignon]
1792: FUR-TRADE UNPROFITABLE
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 2, p. 58.]
London 10th Augst, 1792.
Dear Asian* — I wrote you by the Spring Ships Since which
I am favored with yours of the 20 May. Mr. McGill has been
so employed in forwarding Goods &c that hitherto he has cora-
85 For the lot that was granted Pierre Grignon upon the island of
Mackinac, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 432-434. Many of the older
traders kept a house in Mackinac for use during the summer trading
season, even while making their homes elsewhere. — Ed.
it would seem from this letter that Cott6 intended to leave the
Upper Country in 1792; but see the evidence ante, p. 161, note 17. — Ed.
87 Bartholemi Billon, a friend of Grignon, lived in Montreal, and
made trading trips to Mackinac. To his care was entrusted the edu-
cation of Grignon's sons, when they were sent to Montreal to school.
Wisconsin MSS., 29C2, in the Wisconsin Historical Library, contains
an account (dated 1793) for the schooling of Amable, Pierre, and
Charles Grignon, made out in favor of Billon. — Ed.
[271]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
municated little to me on Business. I am extremely sorry to
hear your Indian Trade has been generally bad and that you
are among the unsuccessfull. I agree with you that pushing
that trade answers no good purpose, I have strongly recom-
mended to the House to curtale & Lessen our connections in
that Trade, for when I considered the uncertainty of our re-
taining the Posts, the Warr between the Indians & Americans,
and the evident fall on furs I am convinced it is an unsafe &
unprofitable business, and will continue so for two or 3 years. I
am certain there will be a fall in Purrs at this Market this year
of 15 to 20 pr. Ct. and every apperance they will continue
falling for 2 or 3 years which has ever been the case, therefore
untill matters comes back to the old standard those who do least
will do best. I am certain there is this year double the quan-
tity of Goods intended for that trade that it can pay for, I
trust your New Goverms: may open some advantagious Trade
that may answer your purpose better.88
I am happy in hearing you and Family enjoy good health
Long may it continue, I enclose a letter for Miss Therese89 to
which I reffer you for family [news] Mr. Robertson90 is now
here he talks of paying you a visit in the Spring, which I have
my doubts off unless his business at Detroit gos wrong, he is
88 The reference here is to the act for the division of Canada and
the organization of a separate government for the upper province,
which passed parliament May 14, 1791. — Ed.
89 Therese Askin married Capt. Alexander McKee, son of the Revo-
lutionary Loyalist of the same name. He made his home about a mile
below Sandwich, Ontario, and served under Proctor in the "War of
1812-15.— En.
so William Robertson, brother of Samuel (noted ante, p. 241), came
to Detroit in 1782, and for two years acted as clerk or agent for a
local firm. Going into business for himself, he acquired a compe-
tence and a large landed property about Detroit. In 1789-90 he served
on the landboard of the district of Hesse, Upper Canada, having re-
fused a judgeship for the same district. Some time in 1790 he retired
to England, and thereafter made but occasional visits to Detroit. He
died early in the nineteenth century, leaving much of his property to
his nephew William, of Queenston, Ontario. — Ed.
i
[ 2721
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Surprised at not hearing from any of his friends this Spring.
Please remember me kindly to the Commodr:91 as I suppose
the Naval business will be immediatly under Govr : Simcoe92 it
will make it more pleasant and easy for him and put more in
his power to serve his Friends, I hope to hear often from you,
and with Kind Respects to Mrs. Askin & family believe me ever
yours Sincerely.
Isaac Todd
Mr. John Askin.
1793: REGULATIONS PROPOSED
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 94.]
Sir — With the Utmost Submission and Defferance to your
Excelleneys better Judment I beg leave to Suggest a mode of
Carrying on the Indian Trade to the Westward by means that
would in the first Instance in a great measure Secure the Lives
& property of the Traders, in the Second procure a greater Con-
sumption of Goods & larger remittances in Purrs, & in the
third furnish the Indians with what Commodities they might
want on the Frontiers and by that means prevent them retiring
»i The reference is to Commodore Alexander Grant, a brother-in-
law of John Askin, for whom see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 311, note
33. In addition to that sketch, it should be said that Grant was for
many years a member of the executive council of Upper Canada; and
in 1805, when serving as president of the council, was de facto gover-
nor of the province during the interregnum between Governors Hunter
and Gore. — Ed.
92 John Graves Simcoe was an English soldier, born in 1752 and
educated at Eton, and Merton College, Oxford. In 1771 he was com-
missioned in the 35th infantry, served throughout the American
Revolution, and surrendered with Cornwallis at Yorktown (1781).
In 1790 he entered parliament, and next year was appointed lieuten-
ant-governor of Upper Canada, where he arrived in the summer of
1792. After four years of governorship, he was granted leave of ab-
sence and sent (1796-98) to manage affairs at San Domingo. He
never returned to Canada, dying in England in 1806. — Ed.
18
[ 273 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
from the best Hunting Grounds & leaving that part of the
Country free & op pen to the Encrochments of new Enemies.
That the Fidelity & good Character of Each person desirious
to Trade with the Indians beyond the foot of the Rapids be
Assertained to the Satisfaction of the Commanding officer,
Coll. McKee93 & such others as they may think Worthy of
Trust after which such person to be Admitted as a Joint Part-
ner in all the Indian Trade carried on beyond the Aforsd:
Place he conforming to the regulations made for that Purpose
which regulations before Carried into Execution to be Trans-
mitted to you by the Commanding Officer of the Post for your
Excellencys Approbation.
That all the Trade of that Country should be carried on by a
Company to consist of Persons of the forgoing Characters.
That no Traffic should be carried on but in Stockaded Trading
Forts nor less than Twenty four men Exclusive of the Trader
& his Interpreter in Each Fort which men should take the oath
of Allegiance & by there Agreement be Obliged to mount
Guard & do Duty as Soldiers so far as necessary for the Preser-
vation of the Lives & property of the People in it. That These
men should be Commanded by a Person of Fidelity & Prudance
Approved of by the Commanding Officer.
I beg your Excellency will Excuse my want of method in
conveying my Ideas & Suffer me to say that I have no wish so
at Heart as that of promotating the wellfare of his Majestys
Goverment Under your directions & should it Please your Ex-
cellency to Enact any Laws for the regulations of the Trade on
the Frontier and that any Information I'm possessed of would
on that occasion be necessary, I will with much Chearfulness
93 Governor Simcoe built (1794) a British fort on American terri-
tory at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee. Probably, however,
Askin here refers to the commanding officer of Detroit, Col. Richard
England, and the agent for the Western Indians, Col. Alexander Mc-
Kee, whose store and buildings were on the south side of Maumee
River, opposite Fort Miami. For these two persons see Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, pp. 434, 443 respectively. — Ed.
[ 274]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
go to Niagara9* for that purpose and Always, think myself
greatly Honored in Executing your Commands.
I am with Great Submission Your Excellencys Most Obedi-
ent & very Humble Servent
[John Askin]
Detroit February the 22 1793.
Governor Simcoe.
1793: DISPUTE WITH EMPLOYE
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library; Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
60B1. Translated from the French.]
We the arbitrators named by the Parties in the Case between
Sieur Charles Reaume and Ambroise Dubeau his Clerk,95 have
found, after the Depositions taken that the Said Ambroise Du-
beau has not followed the orders of the said Charle Reaume his
Bourgeois, and Declarations showing that he has done his work
badly on Several occasions, that he ought to lose his Wages at
la prairie Du Chien.
April 20, 1793.
Jm Ealing
J. Bleakley
J. Giasson
Jam8- Aird96
84 Niagara, at the mouth of the river on its west side, was the seat
of the government, of Upper Canada under Governor Simcoe. He
arrived there July 26, 1792, and made headquarters at Navy Hall,
built during the Revolution by Haldimand, for the accommodation of
the naval officers on Lake Ontario. Simcoe had this repaired, and
made it his official residence. There, in the summer of 1793, he en-
tertained the United States commissioners who were endeavoring to
obtain peace with the Indians. See Gen. Benjamin Lincoln's journal
in Mass. Hist. Colls., 3d series, vol. v. — Ed.
For Charles Reaume see ante, p. 142, note 88. Ambroise Dubeau
had wintered in 1786-87 on St. Peter's River, apparently as clerk for
James Aird. — Ed.
96 These were traders in the Mississippi valley, and probably all
members of the Mackinac Company.
Josiah Bleakley was in 1783 storekeeper and clerk for the Indian de-
[ 275]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xi*
1796: BRITISH EVACUATE DETROIT
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 3, p. 208.]
Detroit 2 July 1796.
Dear Askin — I leave in jour care 64 packs Musk1 M[arked]
No. 1 to 64, which I request you will send to Fort Erie97 as soon
as possible either in the Kings Vessels or any other sending with
them an acc* to Mr. Warran and Mr. Hamilton,98 there is allso
17 packs that Mr Hands has & a like number with Mr Du-
fresne" if you can assist in Getting them down, I wish you
partment at Mackinac; in 1785-86 he wintered on the upper Missis-
sippi. He appears to have been associated with Porlier on the lower
Mississippi in 1812, and at Montreal signed an invoice as late as 1814.
Jacques Giasson was son of the trader mentioned in Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, p. 197, note 52. Born at Montreal in 1747, he was active
in the trade of the Upper Country from his youth until his death in
1808. In the letter given in facsimile in Ibid., p. 462, the name errone-
ously transcribed "Grayson" should be Giasson.
For Aird, see Ibid., p. 437, note 51. — Ed.
97 Fort Erie was erected in 1764 by Capt. John Montressor at the
entrance to Niagara River, on the west bank. This was a preliminary
to Bradstreet's expedition to Detroit of the same year. During the
Revolution it was maintained chiefly as a depot of supplies, and re-
built at various intervals (1778, 1790, 1807). In the War of 1812-15
Fort Erie played an important part in the campaigns around Niagara.
In July, 1814, it was seized by the Americans, who successfully de-
fended it during a severe siege of nearly two months. Upon the re-
tirement of the American army, in November of the same year, the
fort was blown up, and its ruins are still to be seen. — Ed.
98 John Warren was at Fort Erie as early as 1780, and for many-
years acted as assistant commissary. He was in the transportation
business, and died at that place in 1832.
Robert Hamilton was the founder of Queenston, on Niagara River.
For a portrait and sketch, see Buffalo Hist. Soc. Publications, vi,
pp. 73-95.— Ed.
99 William Hands was an early Detroit merchant, who elected to
remain British in 1796 and removed to the east side of the river. He,
or a son of the same name, was sheriff at Amherstburg in 1818.
Louis Dufresne was from Montreal, coming to the Upper Country
about 1795. In 1796 he was recommended for the post of government
blacksmith at Fort St. Josephs, where he was in service as late as
1804.— Ed.
[ 276 ]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
would as they are for us I think by going to the mouth of the
River with Coin1. England1 you might Get him to leave an
order or at Least a request with the Command1", there to give you
the first Kings Vessels that returns from F*. Erie to take packs,
this on Account of freight owing you, and on this assurance you
might be ready to send the packs down I am Yours Sincerely
Isaac Todd
John Askin Esq.
Endorsed: Col. England wrote from Fort Erie to John Askin
about July 18th-20th 1796.
1798: FURS CAPTURED BY FRENCH
[Source, same as preceding document, but vol. 5, p. 11J
Montreal 21th April 1798.
Dear Sir — We are your debtors for favors of the 23d & 31st
Janry and of the 13th Febry ulto and pay attention to their con-
tents the only matters in your first that require particular
answer seem to be respecting the Men you wish should be en-
gaged, a Miller & the Invoice of Goods forwarded last Fall.
To the first, out of Six for you & Mr. Anderson,2 we have met
with but two as Miller, & we find by an invoice remaining here
of a Bale dry Goods & Roll of Tobacco, it must have been
omitted to be endorsed and we now hand it to you, ammount
£57. 9. 10 Cy. at your debit in October 1797. The Silver works
order'd for Mr. Anderson & your own order for Smiths Utensils,
we have put in Hand of a Silver smith to get done & order'd
1 For a reference to Col. Richard England, see Wis. Hist. Colls.,
xviii, p. 443, note 60. England was leaving Detroit, after having de-
livered it into the hands of the Americans. — Ed.
2 John Anderson was a trader who had formerly lived near Pitts-
burgh, and removed to the Detroit country about the close of the
Revolution. He was closely connected in business with Askin, and
appears to have traded in northern Ohio. Probably the Coi John
Anderson of the militia (1805), afterwards justice of the county
court, and auditor of public highways, was his son. — Ed.
[ 277 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
yours from Quebec, the first will be got down but we are not
yet informed respecting the smiths Tools &c. as to the expence of
going in a Boat, it will no doubt come much higher than by
Vessel.
We are doing everything in our power to get the Winterers
& if they can be had may go up in Mr Parks3 Boat or in two
that we are sending for Mr McGregor.4 You will probably
have heard by the States that one of our Annual Fur Ships was
captured & carried into Bourdeaux by the French and your
parcel was shiped in her what effect the loss of so great a
Supply will have on the London Market seems to be very uncer-
tain & people are divided in their opinion because one of our
great outlets for Skins & Furs was Germany & the goods will of
course be had in France at less expense & perhaps price too.
Mr. Todd & our prior have seen your letter of the 13th Febry.
Having nothing more interesting, We remain very truly Dear
Sir Your most qbd* servt
James & A. McGill
John Askin Esq.
Memorandum: Ship Ariadne, E. Boyd taken, value on board of
yours N Y 1391.8.6.
3 William Park was one of the early merchants of Detroit, being
there as early as 1780, when he acted as representative of James
Sterling. The next year the firm was William Park & Co.; a few
years later, Meldrum & Park. The latter was spoken of as desirable for
a magistrate of the new British government of 1792, and in 1796 elected
to remain a British subject. He was still living in 1807, although ap-
parently no longer in active business. — Ed.
* Gregor McGregor was an early British merchant of Detroit, being
mentioned as early as 1774. Four years later he was made captain
of militia in the place of James Sterling, and in 1788 served the dis-
trict of Hesse, Canada, as sheriff and superintendent of inland naviga-
tion. Later he became major and colonel of local British militia.
Although in 1796 he elected to remain a British citizen, he had a
place at Grosse Point, where he resided as late as 1808. — Ed.
[ 278 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 17.]
Montreal 27 April 1798.
John Askin Esq.
Dear Sir — We wrote you on the 21st inst and the present
serves chiefly to hand statements of Accounts up to 1 Oth instant
agreeable to custom; in your acct appears a balance of £725.7.0
& in that under title of John Anderson & Co of £426.18.1 of
both Currency & in our favor which we trust you will find right
Last night we had advices from England with Sales of deer
Skins on 3 Feby which we are very sorry to say is 20% worse
than last year & it falls particularly on the heavy Skins ; the
general average of Detroit Deer Skins does not exceed % Stg.
<& the Charges on Skins are not less than % Stg. from which
you may judge of their value with you. as to Peltries we can say
nothing certain but fear for them also, the Sales of them was
fixed for 8 March ; [we] certainly regret the capture of your
Furs, but we are at this moment inclined to think that it baa
saved you from a greater loss. As at present it is not possible
to say when the Trade Ships may arrive & those Goods are not
ordered for your account from England we suppose that after
seeing how payments are likely to come in that you will have
modelled an order to answer your Trade, we mean your own for
[the goods for] Anderson & Col. Gouin5 have been ordered
from England, we do not wish you to be without Goods but
We wish you at all times as old Friends to weigh the means of
payment to the undertaking that in advanced years the pressure
of Engagements may not annoy & aid to bind down.
We can meet with no Miller at your price and had few En-
gages against the time however of sending up Mr. Andersons
5 Charles Gouin belonged to a prominent French family in Detroit,
being born at that city in 1752. He long retained vivid recollections
of the siege of Pontiac (1763), for many of its scenes he witnessed
from his father's house; he related them for publication in 1824 (see
Mich. Pion. & Hist. Colls., viii, pp. 344-351). At the latter date he
occupied the parental homestead, after having had an adventurous
career as trader and militia officer. Gouin lived to an old age, being
still alive in 1834 — Ed.
[ 279]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. x*
Goods some may be had, which we presume will answer his
purpose. We are Dear Sir Your very obd\ Sevt8,
James & And. McGill
P. S. Under cover are your two notes to L Todd & J. M.
McGill omitted to be returned in winter
J. A. M.
1799: NEW NORTH WEST COMPANY.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 169.]
Montreal 25 January 1799.
Dear Askin — I received your several letters, and observed
what you say respecting Trade at your post it is nothing new
when money is gaind one or two years in a post they must loose
five business is much the same here all Trades overdone from
your information, I have alter'd my plan and sold off all my
importations at cost & Charges so I am again free living on
stock which goes very fast, and [what] the next will be cannot
say. the New North West Company is going on it will be a
considerable struggle but I know who will gain.6 The one
party is a new rais'd corps without discipline, the other old
veterans I cant find one man of experience that has the least
knowledge in the North concern'd Forsyth does the business
here and Sharp7 at the portage, I thank you for the memoran-
dum &c, you sent me, I did not mean that my Nephew8 should
6 Referring to the corporation usually known as X Y Company. See
ante, p. 169, note 30. — Ed.
7 Probably George Sharp, a prominent fur-trader, who in 1786 was
in the Southwest Company, giving information to the British com-
mandant at Detroit. In 1790 he reported upon American movements
in Ohio, and is noted as declaring for British citizenship in 1796. He
died, as per letter published post, in 1800. — Ed.
s This is Alexander Henry the younger, whose journals were edited
by Elliott Coues (New York, 1897). He is known to have been with
his uncle at Montreal in 1787. In 1799 he entered the fur-trade,
wintering until 1808 at several posts on Red River, whence he re-
ported upon the expedition of Lewis and Clark. For three years he
[ 280]
1778-1815] Fur~trade on Upper Lakes
have settled at Sagana or the Indian Country but at Detroit,
he is going to the North West — With the old Company. I am
informed that Sheipland was at Philadelphia with the Indians
from Detroit but cannot know what has been done, but can
guess that Isaac Todd was there at the Time but has not re-
turned I supose you will have the News — such as Never was
known — Admiral Nelson with 1 3 Ships of the line attacked the
Toulon fleet, which took Boanaparte to Egypt and took Eleven
of the french the Beys or Generals in Egypt has killed the
greatest part of her army,9 Nelson's fleet also destroyed 300
Transports
Admiral Warran has Taken & Destroyed the Brest fleet going
to Ireland with troops. The french Landed a number of troops
there sometime before these, but they were all taken or killed.
The Turks has declared war against france, and it is supos'd
Germany Russia & all the world will do the same. America
talks big, they feel Bold, all this good news has rais'd our
spirrits furs in England will sell, by the best Information I
can get far less than last year Beaver very great fall
Deer about the same as last year Bear much less Raccoons
a fall Muskratts will sell here 20 coppers good, no small ones
— to 22 — that is if those shiped for England [this] fall, sells
for that in London pr Cwt if for less they will return to America
and over stock the market, then a fall. I expect Todd up soon
with all the news, he like myself growing old always com-
plains, one of your old friends General Christie10 took his
was at Saskatchewan posts, being in 1813 sent to Columbia River,
where, with Donald McKenzie, he took over the charge of Astoria
when that post was surrendered by the Americans. In April, 1814,
both traders were drowned in the mouth of the river by the over-
turning of a small boat. — Ed.
9 The battle of the Nile, fought in Aboukir Bay, August 1, 1798. — Ed.
10 Gen. Gabriel Christie was a veteran of the British army, having
had the rank of colonel as early as 1762. He does not appear to
have come to America until 1768, when he was lieutenant-colonel of
the 60th (or Royal American) regiment for ten years. Probably .'t
was at that time that Askin formed his friendship. In 1787 he re-
turned to Canada after an absence of several years, and was until his
[281]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
departure for the other world a few days, ago, old standards
diminishes very fast, there is not more than five [or] six re-
maining in Montreal which are Dobie, John Neagles, Major
Hughs, James Morrison, and myself Tod came sometime after
the conquest, we have lost that number in about two years —
so we may keep a sharp look out. Tell my old friend Com'odore
Grant that I received a letter from Doctor Wright Barbados 24
August Mrs. Wright11 and the children is well, they have an
adition of one to their family since they left this, as the time
is so very short for us, we should endeavor to meet once more,
which you may do this summer and bring Mrs Askin with you.
I have tired your patience with so much stuf, So when you
are half through lay this by for another time, and believe me
ever, with my wishes & that of my family for the Happiness of
you and your family Your affectionate friend
Alexander Henry
John Askin Esquire Detroit Mich.
1799: OUTFITTING FOR WISCONSIN
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 226.]
Detroit 6 Mar. 99.
Dear Sir — The Bearer hereof Mr. Ebenezer Allen12 has
applied to me to know If there is any merchant who I think
death (1799) colonel-commandant of the above regiment. He was
promoted from major-general (1781) to lieutenant-general (1793),
and finally to general (1798). His death occurred at Montreal. — Ed.
n The eldest daughter of Commodore Grant married a Doctor
Wright of the English army. — Ed.
12 Ebenezer Allen was an American from Vermont, possibly the
son of Maj. Ebenezer Allen, who was a Revolutionary soldier serving
at Bennington and Fort Ticonderoga. In 1791 he was in correspond-
ence with Joseph Brant, who speaks of his influence with the Indians.
In 1795 Allen, with two associates, formed a plan for securing a large
land grant from Congress — it is said, by questionable means. He
induced Askin and some other Detroit merchants to embark in this
scheme, which in the end came to naught. Nothing further is known
regarding his proposed fur-trading expedition to Wisconsin. — Ed.
[ 282]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
would advance a Small Indian Cargo on getting Security for
the payment, as I think you wrote me last year of having or-
dered out goods of that kind, and perhaps have not disposed of
them, I mentioned you to him he says his plan is to go to the
Ouisconsin, on or near the fox River and he will acquaint you
with the rest of his Scheme of this, or the place of Trade I am
no judge you are so much better yourself. I therefore have
no advice to give respecting the intended trade, nor must you
consider me as answerable in any respect, should matters not
turn out well, my intentions are to serve both. Mr Allen i3
not my debtor, nor to my knowledge does he owe any merchant
here. I have seen his deed, from Government for between two
& three Thousand acres of Land, a part of this he has sold for
£3000 and I believe little or no payment is made yet, nor has
he given Deeds, as I understand for what he sold but intends to
do so, and take Mortgages which mortgage I suppose is to be the
Security for the payment of the goods he may get of you or any
other. I have heard that there is a grist & a saw mill on his
lands & an excellent pinery therefore must be valuable, & have
only to add that Mr. Allen is as active and enterprizing a man
as any in the province & perfectly Sober. I have now stated
the business fair on both sides so far as is come to my knowledge
therefore do as you think fit.
[John Askin]
Endorsed: John Askin to Mr. Alexd Henry of Montreal.
1799: COMPETITION IN THE NORTHWEST
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 245.]
Montreal 8th May 1799.
Dear Askin — I received your favor of January am Happy
to find your Health and spirits are so good for me my Health
is not so good as usual and I have symptoms of old age advanc-
ing rappid, so much that unless I see you this summer I am
affraid I never will, but I have no reason to complain since
on calculation since my time there has been Two Thousand
Million buryed a few years can make no difference, if we
[ 283 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
can only approve of our conduct while here we need fear noth-
ing hereafter Hope and reliance on Providence is all we can
do. there is no fear of being worse treated than others. I
seem to be more anxious to know if you and I will ever meet
there, than anything else, our old friend Todd is going to
Niagara and expects to meet you there was it not for a voyage
to New York which I must make I would go also was it only
to see you I am informed the President has ordered a Coun-
cil to be held in Detroit this summer to hear the Complaints of
the Indians, but I think nothing will do. Congress is selling
the Lands on Lake Erie to the Westward of the H England
Grant13 William Robinson14 is here busy nursing his child
and taking care of his wife by Gentlemen who this day arrived
from London in February bring Ammount of Deer Skin Sale,
they did very well much the same as last but bad appearance
fore Raccoons, dont you send any here if Possible for they will
sell badly, good Muskratts will bring from 20 to 22 sols here —
there is no accounts of other furs, if Raccoons sells badly De-
troit Trade must be much injured, and the "N W Company on
is "New England grant" is the term used to designate the Connecti-
cut Western Reserve, which was retained by that state when in 1786
its Western land claims were ceded to the United States. This re-
serve extended westward 120 miles from the Pennsylvania boundary;
that is, as far as the present western boundaries of Huron and Erie
counties. West of that, was territory guaranteed to the Indians by
the treaty of Greenville (1795). The Indian title to a portion of this
land was extinguished in 1806. Before that date, no sale thereof by
Congress could have been legal. It is difficult, therefore, to determine
what Henry here refers to. Possibly he was speaking of what were
known as the "Firelands," a reserve (made in 1792) of 500,000 acres
in the western portion of the Connecticut tract, for the benefit of the
sufferers by British aggression during the Revolution. In 1799, the
Connecticut legislature passed an act incorporating the proprietors of
this tract into a body politic. However, no actual sales were made
therein until after 1806; but there was considerable speculation in
these lands, titles to which were to be granted after the survey of the
tract. Henry may refer to this activity. — Ed.
14 Probably this was the elder William Robertson, for whom see
ante, p. 272, note 90. — Ed.
[ 284]
1778-1815 j Fur- trade on Upper Lakes
account of opposition it is said intends to send quantity's of
Goods to Detroit & Makinac to sell at cost and Charges, because
Forsyth & Co interfers with their trade in the North, the War
seems to have commenced between them, like the french De-
rectory they will not allow any kings but themselves.
as for Politics, things seems not to stand so favorable as they
•did at the close of the last year, the french has obliged the king
of Naples to leave his Kingdom of which they have Possession.
Boanaparte still seems to have Possession of Egypt, and it [is]
supos'd the french will not stop until they have taken all the
continent of Europe, the Idea of Liberty and equallity, is still
gaining ground. England is intending to make a Union with
Ireland which will I expect be a bad business before it is set-
tled, as the Irish is much against it, and even our friend Isaac
[Todd] disaproves of the English craming the Irish with what
they dont like.
I am sorry I have nothing to ammuse you further my
family is all well and joins in best wishes for yours dont
forget my best respects to Mrs. M°Kee who I would be glad to
see, and remain while there is a spark remaining your sincere
friend
Axexander Henry
John Askin Esquire at Detroit.
1799: SHIPPING ON LAKE HURON
(Source, same as preceding document, but vol. vi, p. 754. Translated
from the French.}
Michi Makinac 5 June 1799.
Monsieur — I have received your letter dated April 30th and
thank you for your attention. You said that "le Saquinaat"
ought to leave May 20 but it appears she did not, for she should
be here. I beg you if you receive any articles for me to send
them to me by any Boat whatsoever that may come, for I much
fear that My Goods coming up this spring will be late, which
[ 285 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
will do me much harm. I am Sir with Consideration Your
very humble servant
J. Giasson & Co.
Addressed: John Askin Esquire Detroit favor of Mr M^Kinsay to
be placed on the "Charlotte"
Endorsed: Mich. June 5, 1799 Messrs Jacque Giasson & Co. to Jn»
Askin. rec'd the 17th
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 94.]
Detroit 11 June 1799.
Dear Sir — Your Sundry favors of the 4th, 10 & 16 of May
reached me some time ago, Since which until now I have not
had an opportunity to reply, your Account is right, I had
thought it would have been reduced to £3000 York, which would
Lave been the Case, had I received, or you or me from Mr Todd
what I then expected with the Bill I sent you.
Under cover herewith I send you the Copy of an Account I
sent Mr Giasson ammount 351£-2-ll, added to which I
paid in august last freight for him to the Ammount of 24-2-0
as I suppose more will be added to this account before the Sea-
son is over and he give an order on you for payment it is need-
less to add at present. I am sorry to learn that Racoons are
so low, yet I do not believe that there is a very great number in
J ohn Anderson & Co's Packs ; when he comes in which will be
soon we will answer your Letter to him in wh the account is
covered I suppose very right. Notwithstanding our best en-
deavors the "Saguinaw" will only be ready to sail tomorrow
downward for all the freight to McKinac is gone I am glad
to find I may expect Winterers and If only one Boat comes T
will be necessitated to purchase another to Baft Hay and trans-
port wood for really, there is hardly any Money to be got ac-
cept [except] for whats wanted by either of the Governments
which is Hay, wood, timber, Bricks etc. and I wish by every
means in my power to make you the best payments I can, but
as I before wrote the best will be bad I am Sure, and those who
have imported lose Cargoes must Suffer, yet whilst a man is
in trade, he Should have an assortment but the quantity Small
[ 286 ]
1778-1S15J Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
and well chosen and not so over loaded as to have to trust where
the payment is very doubtful, there is so many Vessels and
so little for them to do that I cannot think Mr Giasson will be
at the least loss to get down your Packs. I am sorry, both on
your account and our own that the "Saguinaw" could not have
been sent up but that, Messrs. Meldrum & Park could not agree
to unless you or Mr Giasson would allow for her going up
empty as If loaded, and I had no instructions of the kind from
either of you. his Boats are arrived to day, and as Soon as
Biscuit is ready they will proceed.
My Eyes having been weak for Some time past, that I'm
obliged to write no more than what's necessary, I have only to
add that I'm with real regards
J. ASKIN
Endorsed: Detroit 11 June 99 John Askin to James & And. MGill
1799: NEWS FROM MACKINAC
-[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 100.]
Michilimacknac 17th June 1799.
Deae Sir — Your much esteemed favor of the 28th Ult°. I
had the pleasure of receiving some days ago.
Please accept of my best thanks for your kind attention in
taking the earliest Oppory of writing me,
I am very Sorry to find that you are troubled with a weak-
ness in your eyes. I hope by this time you are perfectly re-
covered. I am happy to learn that Madam Askin & the rest of
your family are Well,
We have Nothing New in this part of the World, The Spring
here has been Very cold & backward, Ice were floating in the
Lakes here the 16th ult°. We have now several Canoes from
Montreal, but they bring nothing new. The traders are also
coming in from the Westward. The Skin Merchants has not as
yet begun to make any purchases. As Corn & flour is Only
Arrived, I cannot say what the price Will be here this Summer,
there were No Want of either here during the Winter. Please
[ 287 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
make my best respects to Madam Askin & all your family.
And believe me to be Dear Sir Your well wisher & Very Humb.
Servant
Charles Morison.
John Askin Esq. Detroit per the Schooner "Thomas."
1799: ENGAGES DESERT
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 131. Translated from
the French.]
Michilimakinac July 5, 1~99.
John Askin Esquire,
Monsieur — I forgot to write to you yesterday for a man who
deserted fifteen days ago, a winterer, who came up in the canoes.
His name is Pierre Turcotte15 and as he has taken the route to
Detroit, and as I believe that you can find him there, these are
the advances which have been made him and his engagement
contract. He received at Montreal 94lvs and here 2lTS 4 and his
equipment which amounted to 64lvs. If you can take him, se-
cure what he owes me, or if he cannot pay, ship him back to me
by the first vessel.
I send you also the account and engagement contracts of the
Three Lafontaines dit Marion, who deserted last year, one at
Niagara, and the other two at Detroit. They say that they
wintered at the Miamis. If you can take them, do so and make
them pay the accounts and the damages if possible. I am Sir
with consideration Your very humble Servant
J. Giasson & Co.
Addressed: John Askin Esquire at Detroit
Endorsed: Michilimackinac July 5th, 1799 Messrs Jacques Giasson
& Co. respecting his Engages who run away Reed & Answered 8th
July
ir- In 1818, an employe of this name served the American Fur Com-
pany at Fond du Lac (of Lake Superior) at an annual salary of $600.
It was not uncommon for young homesick engages to desert, and
afterwards to return to their posts and become useful and able win-
terers.— Ed.
[ 288 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1799: PRICES FOR PELTRY
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 176.]
Michilickinac 27th July 1799.
Dear Askiet — Your favor of the 10th Instant came to hand
Sum days ago. I am glad you are pleased with the Exchange
I made of your flour and Sugar, I can assure you, that no ex-
change has been made for that Article Since, On the same terms.
By an express Canoe lately from Montreal to the Grand
Portage, We learn that Beaver, Otters & Bears Sold high, the
former is said to have Averaged 12 sh. Sterling, And that about
the 15th of last Month, 27 Sail of Ships from England arrived
at Quebec,
We have nothing new in this part of the World. Please make
my best Respects to Madam Askin & the rest of your family,
And believe me to be, Dear Askin, Your well wisher & H. Sevt.
Charles Morison.
John Askin Esq. Detroit.
1800: RIVALRY IN NORTHWEST TRADE
[Source, same as preceding document, but vol. 7, p. 221.]
Montreal 18 January 1800.
Dear Askin — I wrote to you by the last boats since which I
have received a few lines saying you was well which you know
always gives me great pleasure, but much more could I see you
which never will happen in this world. I have been laid up
since last October with a complication of disorders, so that I have
kept the House, and a great part my Bed, but at present am
mending and as soon as I can get strength suficient will make a
trip to the Balls Town spring, which renews ones age. I wish
you was there. Mr Todd is going with me he is always com-
plaining when his intestines are empty, but after Dinner re-
covers wonderfully. I observe what you say respecting hireing
young men for three or four years, the opposition to N West has
19
[ 289 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
raised the price so very high that I dont think they can be got
without giving much more than they may be got for at Detroit
boys asked me seven & eight hundred livres and would engage
only for one year, the Old N West Company is all in the
Hands of McTavish Frobisher, and McKensey16 is out, the latter
went off in a pet, the cause as far as I can learn was who
should be the first — M°Tavish or MCK. and as there could not
be two Ceasars in Rome one must remove.
by the last accounts from England there is very bad appear-
ance of furrs selling well, they say most of the furr buyers
are bankrupts owing to several Houses in Hamburg failing,
which has bankrupt all the foreign Houses in London, and sev-
eral in New York. Seaton Maitland & Co who had all the
China business in hand of M°Tavish & Co is shut. I suspect it
will fall heavy on them. Muskratts is the only article which
may keep at 24 — good — and this is owing to Astore17 and me
is This refers to Sir Alexander Mackenzie, whose connection with
the founding of the X Y Company is outlined ante, p. 169, note 30. He
was born in the Scotch Highlands about 1755 and came to Canada in
1779, entering the merchant house of Gregory & McLeod at Montreal.
In 1784 he made his first voyage West, as far as Detroit. The follow-
ing year he became a partner in the organization opposing the North
West Company, and went up as wintering partner to English River.
The opposition having united with the older concern, Mackenzie was
sent in 1788 to the Athabasca region, where the following year he
made a trip to the Arctic Ocean, discovering the great river that
bears his name. In 1791 he visited London, and returning to the
Northwest, equipped for further discovery, made (1792-93) his famous
journey across the northern Rockies, reaching the Pacific Ocean in
July of the latter year. This was the limit of his discoveries and
trading in the interior. In 1794 he finally left the Northwest, but
continued active in the fur-trade. His journal appeared in Eng-
land in 1801, and the next year he was knighted. After 1804, Sir
Alexander was frequently in Canada, serving in the provincial legis-
lature about 1806. In 1812 he settled permanently in Scotland, dying-
there in 1820.— Ed.
]7 it is interesting to see what a marked effect the fur-buying opera-
tions cf John Jacob Astor had in Montreal at this early date. Born
in Waldorf, Germany, in 1763, Astor had come to America in 17S2
[ 290 ]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
being in opposition, if you can sell yours for that I think you
ought, as you may have buyers there, for should Astore & me*
agree they will fall — unless they should sell high in Londonr
there is only 10,000 Shipt from Quebec, not one from this.
Astore & me bought the whole, from 20 to 24, some small par-
cels at auction from the spirrit of opposition sold 26 to 27. X
bought 700 Bear Skins at auction when the ammount [of] sales
incouraged us, very high, that article I am informed will fall
one half, and if some new place is not found [for] Raccoons
they will go badly, the yankeys will trade Rum for Raccoons
should you have any I would recomend you to do it they may
not be worth here 6s another cause has happened contrery to
our expectation 50,000 men from England landed in Holland
the Duke of York commanded all the Dukes fleet surren-
dered— the army within a few miles from Amsterdam was
drove back to their Landing great numbers killed, and to save
the remainder was obliged to make some kind of a convention or
Treaty, one of the articles is we are to deliver 8,000 prisoners
without exchange, they say there are other stipulations not
known. Robinson is well. General Washington Dead My
family all join in praying for the Happiness of yours and re-
main your affectionately
Alexander Henry
Rum is selling 5sh. Spiritts high, proof Mr Sharp Died yes
terday of an inflamation of the Bowells, whic^i shall be a great
loss to Leath.18
John Askin Detroit.
and embarked in the fur-trade; first as an employee, but after 1786
on his own account. He early began buying at Montreal and shipping
to London. His first venture in the China trade occurred in 1800.
Astor was quick to take advantage of the surrender of the Northern
posts to the United States, and in 1808 founded the South West Com-
pany, which later bought out the Mackinac Company — see documents
post. His Astorian enterprise and the Pacific Fur Company have
been graphically described by Washington Irving. The American Fur
Company will be noted in connection with later documents. Astor re-
t'red from its presidency in 1834, and died at New York in 1848. — En.
is George Leith was a British merchant of Detroit and vicinity,
[291]
Wisconsin Historical Collections rvoi. xix
1800: WISCONSIN ENGAGEMENT-CONTRACT
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
56B2. Translated from the French.]
In the Presence of Witnesses was present at La Baye19 Charles
Tason, who has voluntarily engaged and by these presents en-
gages himself to Mr. J acob Franks20 Merchant here present, and
agreeing at his first requisition to leave La Bay in the capacity
of a winterer in one of his Canoes or Batteaus, in order to make
the Journey, both ascending and descending, to winter in the
dependencies of Michilimakinac, to do the duty of a man, to bo
released at the departure of Jacob Franks from La Baye. Also
to take good and due Care along the route, and in the said
places of the Merchandise, Provisions, Peltries, Utensils and
everything necessary for the Voyage, to Serve, obey and execute
faithfully all that the said Sieur Jacob Franks or all others
representing him shall lawfully and honestly order him to do, to
Consider the Latter's profit, avoid his damage, notify him if
anything comes to his knowledge, and in general to do all that a
good winterer ought and is obliged to do, without trading in his
own account, nor absenting himself from nor leaving the said
service, under the penalties imposed by the ordinances, and the
loss of his wages. This Engagement thus made for and in con-
sideration of the sum of Seven Hundred Livres or Shillings,
ancient Currency of this province, will be acquit al of all obliga-
who was in that neighborhood before 1784 and was reputed in 1798
to have rapidly made a fortune. About the time of this letter, he had
a store and considerable establishment at Amherstburg. — En.
is This is selected from a large number of like documents, both
written out and in the form of printed blanks, preserved in the Wis-
consin Historical Library, and is here presented as a typical engage-
ment for a general voyageur or "hand." This particular document
is somewhat unusual, from having been drawn up in the "Indian
country" (so called), instead of in Montreal as customary. — Ed.
20 For a brief sketch of Jacob Franks, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii,
p. 463, note 85.— Ed.
[ 292]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
tion, which shall be paid and I hereby oblige myself to re-
lease and pay it to the said engage one month after his return to
Michilimakanac; and also in the beginning to furnish him the
ordinary Equipment.
For thus &c. Promising &c., obliging &c. Renouncing &c.21
Done and passed at the said La Bay in the year One thousand
eight hundred the eighth of May before Noon, and they have
signed with the exception of said engage, who having declared
on enquiry being made that he did not know how, made his usual
mark after having the above read.
The said Engage agrees to carry at the portages, and cut wood,
and will be furnished with tobacco, shoes, and food.
Charles Tason + his mark
Witnesses: John Lawe J. Dttchakme22
1800: PROVISIONS FOR FUR-TRADE
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1B1.]
Detroit 29 May, 1800.
Sir — Your boat[s] arrived late last eveg I have provisioned
them from this day, for twenty days, should they arrive in a
shorter time they will have to account to you — with respect to
21 A customary notarial formula for all deeds and contracts. See
Ibid., p. 139, note 82.— Ed.
22 For a brief biographical sketch of John Lawe, whose papers as
published post will furnish much additional information, see Id.,
vii, p. 250. Lawe states in Wis. MSS., 63B25, that he first settled at
Green Bay in June, 1799.
Joseph Ducharme was the eldest son of Jean Marie, noted in Id.,
xviii, p. 161, note 4. He was probably born at Lachine, and does not
seem to have settled permanently at Green Bay until the latter part
of the eighteenth century. He had a large homestead on the east side
of Fox River, on the site of the later Shantytown. In 1831, Ducharme
gave the land on which the Catholic church was built. He was
known as "Colonel," and possibly served in the Canadian militia.
His wife was of Indian extraction, and they had four sons, all of
whom had musical tastes. — Ed.
[ 293 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
the Duties, which may be laid on at Mackinac, you will no doubt
get every information there. I shall write you by the next
Boats I am sir your Hble Ser*
M. David.23
10 O'clock A M
200lb Pork 300lb Bisqtiet 1% Bush Corn
Addressed: Mr. Jacob Pranks Mackinac
Endorsed: Letter from Detroit from Mr Moses David Dated 29th
May 1800.
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 9, p. 151.]
Michilimackinac 10, Feb? 1801.
Dear Askii* — I embrace the present Opportuy to inform you
that I am well, And am in hopes that this few lines Will find
you & family in perfect healtk We have Nothing new in this
Part of the World. I am afraid there has been but an indiffer-
ent Deer hunt last fall, as we had ~No Snow here that lay Until
the 13th of last month, And the Ice only closed the 22d Mr
Eraser had to Stay at Mr Campbells T5 Days before he got
Over here, Which was on the 24th Ult°.
Flour & Corn is here in pleanty, but in ISTo Demand. Please
make my best Wishes to Madam Askin & all your family, and
believe me to be with much esteem, Dear Sir, Your Very
Humbl Sev'
Charles Morison"
John Askin Esq. Detroit
23 Moses David probably belonged to the David family of Montreal,
whose ancestor, Lazarus, born in England about 1734, came in
with Amherst's army. His is the first recorded burial (1776) in
the Jewish cemetery of Montreal. One son, David David, was a promi-
nent merchant, and director of the first bank of Montreal. Moses
David of Detroit was pro-British during the War of 1812-15, and
some goods being sent up for him were seized in 1812 by the Ameri
can General Hull. — Ed.
[ 294]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1801: LICENSES FOR THE FUR-TRADE
IMS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
60B4.1
Wayne County the first day of March 1801.
Territory of the United States north west of the Ohio.
This certifies that Jacob Franks is authorized to vend Mer-
chandize within this territory for one year from the dace hereof,
the said Jacob Franks having this day, paid to me Mattw Ernest
Treasurer of the Said County of Wayne24 the sum of ten Dol-
lars, it being the annual tax imposed on Retailers of Merchan-
dize by a Law of this territory.25 1
Mattw. Eknest
Treasr. W. C.
[Extract from a letter dated at Michilimacinac May 19, 1801. MS.
in Burton Library, vol. 10, p. 15. Translated from the French.]
1ST. B. They have told us here that for the Grand River, St
Joseph River of the Illinois, one must have Permits from the
Post26 to go to those places, but knowing nothing of this I beg
24 Matthew Ernest was the first collector for the United States at
the port of Detroit. His appointment dated from 1799, with a salary
of $200 and fees, but he was not confirmed by the senate until Jan. 6,
1800. He seems to have been county treasurer (from 1801-05), quar-
termaster general, colonel of militia, and justice of the peace. He
had a considerable farm near Detroit, at what is known as Spring-
wells. In 1805 Ernest's accounts were found to be in confusion and
he was requested to resign, whereupon he disappeared from official
life. — Ed.
25 At this time Wayne County was a part of the Northwest Terri-
tory. The law to which this refers is to be found in Laws of North-
west Territory, chap, xxxii, sec. 6; it imposed a tax of $10 on all
retailers within the territory, of merchandise other than the produce
or manufacture of said territory. The county treasurer was required
to give a receipt therefor. In 1805 this tax was raised to $20 per
annum. — Ed.
26 Mackinac and all the country west of a Tne drawn due north frorc
Fort Recovery to the international boundary was set off on May 7, 1800,
as Indiana Territory. Its capital was Vincennes, then commonly
known as "Au Poste," "Opost," or (as here) simply "the Post." Li-
[ 295]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
you to give me some information thereon. I fear it will be
difficult for us to get the permits from the Post and not knowing
of this and not perhaps acting with sufficient caution in that
regard, I flatter myself that you will be good enough to inform
me on this subject. We have large interests in these places and
if it is necessary to have these permits if possible send me a
Blank for the names and places. I beg you to have some four
sent us. we receive every year for those that wish to take them
a permit from the Commandant and besides we paid last year a
license for the privilege of selling, but fearing this is not enough
we leave it to you to do what is necessary & beg for a response
on this matter by the first Bark.
I am Sir with consideration Your very humble Servant
Jacque Giasson & Co.
[Reply made to Monsieur Giasson, June 4, 1801, in English.]
Me. Giasson — I have arranged with Mr. Henry to have him
send by Monsieur William Henry of Michilimacinac27 four
licenses of which you will have the Choice. All you have to do
censes for trading with the Indians had been required from the in-
ception of the United States government; the law now in force dated
from March 3, 1799, under chap. 46, sec. 7 of "An act to regulate trade
and intercourse with Indian tribes," etc. These licenses could be se-
cured of any Indian agent, or of any army officer commanding a
post. They cost but $2, and were indiscriminately given. See letter
of William Burnett in H. H. Hurlbut, Chicago Antiquities (Chicago,
1881), pp. 71-74. The writer of this letter evidently supposed that
the new governor of Indiana Territory would exercise authority over
these permits— a reform which he later attempted. — Ed.
27 The first "Mr. Henry" is James, a Detroit merchant and tanner.
He was in 1803 a justice of the peace, and member of the board of com-
missioners for Wayne County. Two years later he was a delegate from
the same county to the Indiana territorial assembly, and seems to
have died before the War of 1812-15.
William Henry of Michilimackinac was probably not the one noted
in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 505; but apparently was the brother of
James, commander of a vessel on Lake Huron, and very likely an
American. — Ed.
[ 296 ]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
is to sign a Bond with two sureties. I would have done that
here, but you cannot be embarrassed to find them at your place.
I have paid for the licenses here & his brother the Captain who
takes the licenses does not know the price I am Sir Your very
humble Servant
[John Askin]
1801: MONTREAL EXPORTS OF FURS
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 92.]
• Michllimackinac 30 June 1801.
Dear Askin — By your favor of the 1st Instant, I am happy
to learn that your health were Restored, May you long enjoy it.
We have ISTo thing New in this part of the world. A great
Number of Packs are come in & many of them are already sent
off to Montreal. This year the Skin Merchants are making no
purch asses here, Corn & flour are in good pleanty, So that Bread
is Sold by the single loaf at 15 sols. My best wishes waits on
Madam Askin & the rest of your family, and am sincerely your
Well Wisher & IP. Sl.
Charles Morison
John Askin Esqr.
[Source, same as preceding document, but vol. 11, p. 24.]
Detroit Nov. 5th 1801.
Mr Askin's Compliments to Colonel Hamtramck28 & sends
28 John Francis Hamtramck was a native of Quebec, his father hav-
ing emigrated in 1749 to Canada, from Luxembourg, and married a
Canadian-Frenchwoman. Born in 1756, the younger Hamtramck em-
braced the American cause with enthusiasm, and in 1776, before at-
taining his majority, joined Montgomery's army at the siege of Que-
bec. Havirg served throughout the Revolution in Hazen's corps, the
young Canadian continued his career as a soldier, being appointed
(1785) a captain in the United States infantry, and the next year
major. Upon the reorganization of the army in 1789, Hamtramck be-
came major of the 1st infantry, stationed at Cincinnati. He was a
trusted subordinate of Wayne, and in the battle of Fallen Timbers
[ 297 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
him under cover the paper he promised by which it appears that
the Exports from Quebec in Furrs, Skins & Castor [Beaver]
in 1800 Ammounted to £209614 Halifax Cur. or 838,456 Dol-
lars two Thirds of which sum he believes are the proceeds of
the North and founds his oppinion from his having been many
years Ago in that Trade & afterwards an Agent to those who
now carry it on so Extensively, also his constant residence
Either at Mich[ilimackinac] or this Post since 1764 & being
concerned most of the Time in the furr Trade.
1802: SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS; LANGLADE'S LANDS
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 135.]
Montreal 15 April 1802.
Dear Sir — We wrote you a Short Letter on the 23 of March
acknowledging your favor of the 26 December and to give our
consent for the late Company of J. & A. McGill to the disposing
of your property, payable by installments & we now confirm tbe
same. By this opportunity we cannot inclose continuation of
Acc't up to the 10th Current, but we shall forward it soon,
mean time your Acc\ against Messrs J. Giasson & Co has been
settled with very little exception which will be pointed out in
transmitting your A/C curr1.
You may be assured it was our wish to throw every thing in
your way which we could, but Mr. Giasson now acting for
himself thought proper while at Detroit to change Correspond-
ents and when arrived here we could not prevail on him to re-
turn to you, which has really pained us, tho he has agreed to
employ the Messrs MacGregors being our Correspondents. The
(1794) commanded the right wing. The same autumn he took com-
mand at Fort Wayne, continuing there until ordered to take posses-
sion of Detroit (1796) for the Americans. He was in command at
Detroit until his death, April 11, 1803. Being a Catholic, and speak-
ing French as his native tongue, Hamtramck was popular with the
older French-Canadian families. He was said to have gone into
partnership with James Abbott, a successful merchant, but death cut
short his useful career. — Ed.
[ 298 ]
1778-181.: j Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Accounts from the Sale of Furs are very favorable; it was the
same at the close of last war, but the year following, both you &
the writer have cause to recollect we are Dear Sir Your obed*
<& very hbl Sevt3
James & And. McGill
John Askin Esqr. Detroit
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 140.]
Montreal 24 April 1802.
John Askin Esq*
Dear Sir — Our last respects were of the 15th Inst, and
since these we are without any of your favors
Accompanying the present you will find State of Acc* Currt.
up to the 10 of the month as is our usual practice, balance in
our favor £1081. 4. 2 Currency, which we hope you will find
right as it has diminished something within the last year, we
hope you may be enabled to continue the diminution so as
shortly to prevent the accumulation of Interest It would have
afforded us much satisfaction had Messrs. Giasson now doing
business for himself only continued to employ you ; he has
done otherwise but the Packs of J. G. & Co are to be put on
board the "Saguinau" by preference if at MaKinac when they
are ready for shipping.
In one of your accounts there is a charge for duties you were
bound to pay, we think about £20 york, will you have the good-
ness to mention if you have paid it and inform us also if
Bunnells protested draft has been paid to you.
Having an Interest in 3000 Acres of Land in your District
belonging to Langlade of La Baye, which he has authorised
Mons. Rocheblave to sell under a very informal Power of At-
torney29 & it being necessary to have a proper Power for con-
29 For the letter accompanying this power of attorney, and a note
of Noel Rocheblave, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, pp. 462, 463. The
power of attorney given to Rocheblave and Porlier is in the library of
Edward E. Ayer, Chicago, who has kindly furnished us with a copy.
See also the next document. — Ed.
[ 299 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
veying fixed Property in your Provence, we have had one made
out & also a memorial of the Power in your name and Mons.
Giasson is to send one of the witnesses interested to see them
executed to La Baye; and afterwards to send him to you with
these two Papers that you may have them registered ; and as we
presume they will be sufficient to authorise you to dispose of
the Lands, we shall now or some time after transmitt you the
Patents, in order to your disposing of these Lands at the best
price for ready money you can obtain; but previous to your
selling them let us know what you think of their value & [ar-
range] by Advertisement such time for selling them & before
a Notary at Maiden as may enable us to return you an answer,
wishing you health & comfort, we are Dear Sir Yours most
Sincerely
James & And. McGill
John Askin Esq. Detroit
[MS. in possession of Edward E. Ayer, Chicago. Translated from
the French.]
La Bay 8 May 1802.
Mr. Adhemar St. Martin, Esquire.
Sir — I have charged Mr. Rocheblave to deposit My Inven-
tory in the Record office, thus Signing in my name the renuncia-
tion that I make to the community of goods30 that I had with
Mr. de Langlade for Maintaining my Rights. I hope that you
will be good enough to receive this in my Stead.
I beg you to present my respects to the Ladies and believe me
with Consideration Sir, Your Very h. Servant
The Widow Langlade
Addressed: Adhemar St. Martin, Esquire, at Makinac
Endorsed: Letter on Langlade's business, with his Notes. Rec'd
from Mr. McGill 21st May, 1803. True copy from <the original,
placed at McKinac 29 august, 1802. Adhemar St. Martin Notary Pub-
lic
so See the marriage contract in Ibid., pp. 135-140. — Ed.
[ 300]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1802: UNITED STATES REGULATIONS FOR FUR-TRADE
{MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
1B4.]
Peorias the 20th 0f May 1802.
Mr. Arundel 3i
JjT Sir — I lately received a letter from the Attorney General
of the Indiana Territory, concerning the Indian trade and as
you are now about going to a Country where the opinion of
the Attorney General may be of use as well to your Self as to
some of your Friends upon this Subject I have taken the liberty
to give you an extract of his letter which is as follows, I appre-
hend that you have taken up a wrong idea of the restrictions
contained in the Licenses, from carrying goods &c, to trade
with the Indians to trade at their Hunting Camps, the in-
tention of this clause I am authorized to Say was solely to
prevent traders from following small parties on their mere
Hunting expeditions for a few days, and that without their
families and not to prohibit selling them their necessaries at
any camp which the indians might think proper to form, and in
which their wives and children accompany them ; their camps
from my small Knowledge of the indian trade, are in one win-
ter season changed three or four times, it would therefore in my
opinion be very detrimental even to the indians themselves to
construe the restrictions so as to prevent traders from furnish-
ing them their Goods on the Spot, and would therefore oblige
them to carry their Peltries to the Traders at their fixed Sta-
tions, often at a considerable distance and as often without a
si William Arundel was of Irish birth, and came to Detroit before
the Revolution. During that time he had a large establishment it
Lower Sandusky, where he rescued prisoners, entertained the Mora-
vian missionaries, and was spoken of as a kind, humane, and gener-
ous man. After the Revolution he removed westward, and by 1787
was established at Cahokia, where he seems to have acted as agent
for the Michilimackinac Company, which traded between the two
posts by way of Prairie du Chien and the Wisconsin River. He be-
came a useful citizen of Illinois, where he acquired a large landed
property, and served in various local offices. He died at Kaskaskia In
1816, at an advanced age. — Ed.
[301]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
sufficient number of horses, saying nothing about the loss of
time in the most precious seasons. From what I have said it
will occur to you that no trader at any one of these camps can
be permitted to follow a detached party from thence on their
hunting expeditions for a few days or to purchase their peltries
befor the indians return to their main body I believe these
restrictions were inserted in consequence of Complaints from
the chiefs Stating that traders followed these small parties and
before their return for very small trifles purchased the skins
when green, and often tempted them to do so with Liquor.32
The above is the Opinion of Mr Jones33 upon the existing
regulations relative to the indian trade. You may now figure
to Yourself how much mistaken many traders have been, and
how much they now suffer in consequence of that Mistake.
32 This opinion was given in reference to a proclamation issued by
Gov. William H. Harrison, Aug. 31, 1801, in which that official states
that frequent complaints had been made by the Indians of the mis-
chief caused by traders frequenting their hunting camps. The gover-
nor therefore notifies them that a regulation has been made by the
executive of the United States, whereby the licensed traders are ex-
pected to confine themselves to the towns, and not follow the Indians
to their hunting grounds; in the future, this regulation will be
strictly enforced. See reprint of "Executive Journal of Indiana Terri-
tory, 1800-16," in Indiana Historical Society Publications, in, No. Ill,
p. 103.— Ed.
33 John Rice Jones was born in Wales, Feb. 11, 1759. After being
educated at Oxford, and practicing law in London, he came to America
in 1784, and located for a few months at Philadelphia. Having de-
cided to seek the West, Jones established himself at Louisville, where
in 1786 he joined George Rogers Clark's expedition into the Indian
country. About this time he settled at Vincennes, where he formed
a warm friendship with Harrison, who appointed him (Jan. 29, 1801)
attorney-general of Indiana Territory. Jones served in this capacity
until 1808, when having a political disagreement with Harrison, he
resigned, and removed to Kaskaskia, where he had previously spent
some years. About 1810 he emigrated to Missouri, and engaged in
mining and smelting lead at Mine a Breton (now Potosi). He was
a member of the Missouri constitutional convention (1820), and served
as justice of the state supreme court until his death at St. Louis in
1824.— Ed.
[ 302 ]
1778-1815! Fur- trade on Upper Lakes
I wish you a pleasant voyage, and hope that you will not
forget to write me upon every occasion that presents as I prom-
ise on my part to do the Same.
I am, Sir, with much respect & Esteem Your Sincere friend
and most obedient Servant
I. Darnielle34
Addressed: William Arundel Esquire MeKinac
Endorsed: A true Copy from the Original. William Arundel
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "A", p. 276.]
War Department 14th. September 1802.
Circular to all Indian Agents
Sir — The chiefs of many of the Indian Nations having ap-
plied to the President of the IT. States for the suppression of
the sale of ardent Spirits in their several Nations and Con-
gress having authorised the President to comply with the re-
quest. It is therefore the wish of the President that you
adopt such measures, as will as soon as practicable; with due
regard to particular circumstances, prevent the sale of any
ardent spirits to the Natives. In order therefore to effect this
object, no trader should be allowed to vend any Goods, to the
Indians, who shall cary ardent Spirits into their Country for
sale or other purposes, and such as are now trading under
former licenses should be restricted in like manner. I am etc.
[Henry Dearborn]
On margin: Benjamin Hawkins, Govr. St. Clair, Governor Harri-
son, Silas Dinsmoor, Return J. Meigs, John Johnston, William Wells,
Samuel Mitchell, Jona. Halstead, John W. Hooker, Robert Munro<\.
Joseph Chambers, Thomas Peterkin.
34 Isaac Darnielle arrived in Illinois from Maryland, apparently
about 1794, the second professional lawyer in the territory. He was a
classical scholar and of polished manner, but something of a rake,
and is said to have eloped from Cahokia to Peoria with a married
woman. In later life he became reduced in circumstances, and taught
school in western Kentucky, where he died about 1830, in poverty and
neglect. — Ed.
[ 303 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1803: A TYPICAL FUR-TRADE ACCOUNT.
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
1A2. Translated from the French.]
Account of Peltries sold to Messrs. J. Giasson & Berthlotte/5
N Rocheblave & Porlier By Charles Sangiiinaitte.38 Namely
1803
August 13
For 245 bear skins 1
90 cubs
26 Otters
11 lynx
30 muskrats }
1 mink
500 lvs. beaver
434 cat skins
133 deer skins J
In addition
For 7 cubs 20
" 10 lvs: beaver 8
" Cats
for 18,000.0
140
80
3
223
To deduct
1 Otter 20
6 deer skins 30
50
173". 0
18,173.0
35 Jean Baptiste Berthelot was a prominent trader in Wisconsin be-
tween 1800 and the second war with England. Anderson mentions
him as being in opposition (1801) in the Sauk villages, and he appears
to have had also an establishment at Prairie du Chien. After the
War of 1812-15, Berthelot seems to have established himself on Drum-
mond Island, where in 1816 he was granted a lot of land. He long
maintained his friendship with Wisconsin traders, and many of his
letters to the Grignons, Rolette, Porlier, and others are in the
manuscript collections of the Wisconsin Historical Library. — Ed.
36 Charles banguinet was a wealthy merchant of St. Louis. He
was born at Quebec in 1740, and coming West first settled in De-
troit. About 1775 he removed to St. Louis, where he married Mari-
anne Conde, and became allied to the prominent French Creoles of
that place. Being a free lance in the fur-trade, he opposed the estab-
[ 304]
1778-1815J Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1803
August 11
On the account of Messrs.
N. Rocheblave [and] Porlier
presented this day 320.10
Balance due to
Ch. Sanguinet 17,852.10
Save errors or omissions
McKtnac 16th of August 1803 Ch16S Sanguinet
Eeceived payment at Michilimakinac 17th of August 1803
Ch16S. Sanguinet.
1804: TRADE AT MILWAUKEE
[Source, same as preceding document, but IBS. Translated from the
French.]
Milwaki May 18, 1804.
Sir — I received your account but there are some articles
which are not in the invoice that I hope you will have the Kind-
ness to remit, as Mr. Anderson37 will tell you.
I send you my account which you will find very just and
wish that you may send me the Balance by a similar occasion.
Sir I am surprised that you do not wish to pay the Account of
Mr. Charles Chadonette38 when he was your clerk, and the
iished companies and won a large competence, dying at St. Louis in
1818.— Ed.
3t Thomas Anderson was born in Sorel in 1779, his father being a
Massachusetts Loyalist. In 1795 he was apprenticed to a Kingston
merchant, with whom he remained until 1800, when he came West to
enter the fur-trade. For his own description of his experiences, and
his life at Milwaukee (1803-06), see Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, pp. 137-206.
After serving in the War of 1812-15, he finally settled on Drummond
Island, and retired with the British to Penetanguishene in 1828. For
thirty years thereafter he was Indian agent for that vicinity, and
died at Port Hope, Feb. 16, 1875. Many of his papers and letters are
in possession of the Wisconsin Historical Library. — Ed.
38 Charles Chandonnet was born at Quebec in July, 1763. His mar-
riage is recorded at Mackinac in 1792; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii,
20 ' [ 305 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
wages of J. B\ Lajeunesse39 that lie has well earned. Sir I
am your Very humble Servant
Fr Laframboise40
I am much obliged to you for the Messages that you have
promised
Addressed: To Jacob Franks merchant at Makinac.
1804: PROVISIONS ON UPPER LAKES
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 13, p. 13.]
Montreal 20 July 1804.
Dear Sir — We are indebted for your favors of 29 May
which we might have answered sooner but having Knowledge
that Mr Hamilton would soon return up the Country we post-
poned until he should so far be the bearer of our respects.
To your proposal of our furnishing your sons with Goods &
taking payment next year in whiskey and Flour at Michili-
mackinac we have to observe that as we have not any direct in-
terest in the Trade to that Post, we have no occassion what-
ever to buy either whiskey or Flour for exporting other Goods,
we therefore do not wish to begin a Trade, in which agents must
be employed & who would for their trouble get all the profit;
indeed we do not at present wish to extend our Trade in your
part of the Country & therefore must decline supplying the
Goods you have wished for. *
You wish us to try some other House, but really we Know
not of any to whom the proposal would be suitable ; and we fear
pp. 495, 509. He seems to have teen at Milwaukee frequently after
1800, and was employed during the War of 1812-15 by Robert Dickson.
For his death in 1814, at the hands of his nephew and adopted son,
see ante, p, 159, note 12. — Ed.
39 Over thirty French-Canadian families bore the surname of "La
Jeunesse." There was likewise one prominent Illinois family of the
same name. To which of these the engage here mentioned belonged,
had not been ascertained. Probably he was the same person whom
Pike met in 1806 with Louis Grignon on the upper Mississippi. — Ed.
40 For Francois Laframboise, see ante, p. 158, note 10. — Ed.
[ 306 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
that our declining it might prove a sufficient reason to other
Houses not to take up the business; you had better therefore
not count on the memorandum being fulfilled.
We note the price you were to charge for flour on Ace1 of J &
And. McGill, it is higher than at this place or Quebec, but as
others pay the same, we are satisfied except the five per cent
Commission which we think wrong since the flour is on Account
of a debt & taken from you to facilitate payment. The Flour
was to be addressed to Mons. Giasson and we think at the time
of proposing such mode of payments, we mentioned him to you
as the CommVner. Our Fleet is but lately arrived at Quebec &
God knows when the Goods may reach this place, as there are
a great many Packs this year we think your vessel the "Sagui-
nau" must get at least one load down, and if she can be back
there by 15 Sept at latest we are of opinion she might get a
second we are Dear Sir Your very obedt Servents
James & And. McGill
[John Asking
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 26.]
Michilimackinac Augt. 24 1804.
Dear Sir — As I am just setting out for the Mississippi and
I leave a young man to pass the winter at this place finding
that you have a quantity of whisky — for sale here — please di-
rect to Patrick Adhemar41 informing him of the lowest price
and enclose an order on Jaques Giasson with whom it is stored
for what quantity he may want for which I will be accountable
& write you the amount next spring. My best respects to Mrs
Askin & family. Wishing the full enjoyment of health, I am
Dear Sir, Your very Obd1 & very hbl Servant
E. Dickson42
John Askin Esq. Detroit
41 Probably a son of Toussaint Antoine Adhemar St. Martin, noted
ante, p. 159, note 11. Patrick was witness for several marriage con-
tracts (1792-96), and apparently is the trader who proposed to build
in 1799 at St. Josephs Island. — En.
42 An early letter of Robert Dickson, the famous Scotch trader and
British partisan. See his biography by Ernest A. Cruikshank in
[ 307 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1804: UNION OF NORTHWEST COMPANIES
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 86.]
Montreal 8th Decemb. 1804.
William Park, John Askin, Alex* Harrow** Esquires
Gentlemen — A coalition being affected between tbe US. W.
Companies, it becomes necessary that a valuation should be
made of the "Nancy,"44 "Caledonia" and "Charlotte," with
their respective Rigging and Materials whether in use or spare.
The transfers will be made the 1st of April. The Parties in-
terested have here jointly agreed, to nominate yon to make the
Valuations, and we hope that you will be good enough to under-
take the Charge. Previous to your fixing said Valuations, it is
meant that a Survey should be held upon each of the Vessels by
three Carpenters, viz. Messrs Connolly, Baker and Nelson, and
a Report made by them to you thereon. In confiding this
business to you, we are satisfied that the object of the Inter-
ested will be attained, without favor, affection or prejudice to
either. There is a Store House, House, and Warff belonging
Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, pp. 133-153. It will be a surprise to those
knowing his later career to learn that he received an American com-
mission as justice of the peace in August, 1802; see Executive Jour-
nal of Indiana Territory, cited ante, p. 302, note 32. — Ed.
43 Alexander Harrow began his career on the lakes as early as 1777.
During the Revolutionary period he commanded on Lake Huron, and
as late as 1794 was still in charge of a vessel. Sometime before 1796
he bought a large tract of land on St. Clair River, where he settled
near the modern town of Cottrellsville. He rescued a white captive
girl from the Indians of the vicinity, and married her. He died be-
fore 1821, and his descendants live in St. Clair County, Mich. — Ed.
44 On the building of the "Nancy," see letters of John Richardson
in Ontario Historical Society Papers, vi, pp. 22, 27-32. The schooner
was built at Detroit in 1789, of the best materials and plan pos-
sible at the time. She was in the service of the X Y Company
until the amalgamation in 1804. During the War of 1812-15 she was
hired as a transport by the government, and destroyed by her crew
(Aug. 14, 1814) to prevent her falling into the hands of the Ameri-
cans.— Ed.
[ 308 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
to the Owners of the "Nancy" of which we wish for a separate-
Valuation from the Vessel and her Materials, according ti>
what you may think the fair present worth of said Houses and
WharfT.
Excuse the Trouble we hereby give you, and believe us with
much esteem Gentlemen Your very Humble Servents
Forsyth Kichardson & Co.45
P. S. Mr. Duff & Capt. Mills will represent the Interested
in the "Nancy," and Mr. Jas. Macintosh those in the other Ves-
sels.
Addressed: William Park Esq. Sandwich
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 88.]
Montreal 10 December 1804.
Dear Askin — I forwarded, the papers, which by the opinion
of the Lawyers here was sufficient to prevent Mr Williams4*
from geting possession of the Estate, without paying the Debts
« The firm of Forsyth, Richardson & Co. was one of the most im-
portant mercantile houses of Montreal. It was formed in 1790 by
John Forsyth and John Richardson, both from Aberdeenshire, Scot-
land. They soon began to oppose the North West Company as repre-
sented by McTavish, McGillevray & Co. After 1795 this became an
open war, in which Forsyth, Richardson & Co. represented the inter-
ests of the X Y Company. After the union of 1804, both firms con-
tinued to conduct the business of the amalgamation until the com-
bination surrendered (1821) to the Hudson's Bay Company. For a
sketch of John Richardson, who died in 1831, see Ibid., pp. 20, 21. — Ed.
46 The reference is to John R. Williams of Detroit, who in 1804 at-
tempted to have himself appointed sole administrator of the estate
of his father Thomas, who had died in 1785, indebted to several Mon-
treal merchants. John R. Willams was born in 1782 at Detroit. In
1800 he was appointed a cadet in the United States army, but resigned
in 1802, to enter business at Detroit. In 1804 he was one of the
trustees of the town, and in 1824 served as its first mayor under the
charter, being re-elected for the years 1825, 1830, 1844-46. He also
served in the militia, being in 1829 a major-general, and in 1832 hav-
ing the conduct of an expedition towards Chicago. He died in 1854,.
and many of his papers are in the Burton Library, Detroit. — Ed.
[ 309 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
first, since which I have not heard from him, or you. as the
Winter is come on and you have time to write, hope you will
not forget to send me a few lines, for you seem to be lasey, and
remind Mr Brush47 to write what is doing in the business, the
best way for Williams is to give security to pay me a fixd sum
of money which may be agreed thereon for which I will dis-
charge him from Murray Samon & Co, David White, P. Cruick-
shanks, & Kay — which is the greatest part of the Creditors.
The others he may easily settle with, we have nothing New
here. Todd laid up with the Rumatism, the two ~N. West Com-
panys joined, it is said the New Company have lost £70,000,
since their comencing the opposition, it will be some time be-
fore they bring up that sum. Nothing new from Europe, we
are all well with best wishes for you & yours remain sincerely
ever your old friend
A. Heitey
I cannot procure a pair of Boots for you in this province —
they are made in New England
John Askin Esq. Detroit
1805: LOCATION OF FUR-TRADE FACTORIES
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "B." Secretary of War to William Davy.]
War Department Dec: 30, 1805.
Sir — I have lately heard of Mr. Peterkin at Wheeling a
little below Pittsburg. He was confined for a considerable
47 Elijah Brush was one of the earliest Americans to settle at De-
troit, having arrived there before 1799, probably from Vermont. He
was prominent in the conduct of affairs before and during the War
of 1812-15. In that war he served as colonel of the rifle corps, and
in that capacity signed the capitulation of Detroit in 1812, although
this was much against his will. He was a lawyer of repute, county
treasurer (1806-13), United States attorney (1811-14), and (1806)
mayor of the village by appointment of the governor. He married
Adelaide, daughter of John Askin, and left several sons who became
prominent in the early years of Detroit and Wisconsin history. — Ed.
[310]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
time at Lancaster by sickness; and was waiting for the water
of the Ohio to rise.
I very much doubt the expediency of removing our Factories,
from Tort Wayne and Chikago to Michilimackinac. We
should by such a measure, deprive the Indians generally, who
have become our friends and depend on our supplies, of any
means of procuring goods, except by small British traders ; and
only supply such as are very distant ; and who are and would
be principally supplied by the British Companies.48 There are
very few Indians in the vicinity of Michilimackinac; the head
of Green Bay would be a more eligible situation than that ;
but, at present, neither would be equal to Chikago. I am very
resp. Yr. Obt. Sert.
[Henry Dearborn]
On margin: Wm. Davy
1806: WISCONSIN TRADERS' AND AGENT
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
53B76. Translated from the French.)
6 January [1806]
I wish that you may begin the year 1806 with the best of
Health, and that you may so Continue until its close. I have
48 The factory system of the United States was an attempt to con-
duct the Indian trade by government agents, and to give the Indians
the benefit of fair dealing, and of goods at cost prices. The system
was highly recommended by Washington, who in several messages
urged its adoption upon the attention of Congress. In 1795 an appro-
priation of $50,000 was made for testing the system, and two houses
or "factories" were established among the Southern Indians. Noth-
ing more was done until Jefferson induced Congress in 1802 to pass
a bill to revive the scheme, and four new "factories" were begun —
those at Detroit and at Fort Wayne being for the Northern tribes.
In 1804 an additional appropriation was made, in order to extend the
system to Louisiana. That same year, the Detroit establishment was
discontinued and its effects moved to Chicago, where a military sta-
tion had just been erected. The factory system was extended to
Mackinac in 1808. For further materials on its location and manage-
ment, see documents and notes post. — Ed.
[311]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
received your two letters in due time and I Must compliment
you on your exactness. I have not had the advantage of send-
ing you a Reply, not having Known any opportunity since
their Arrival, I do not know yet whether I shall find any [op-
portunity] to send you the present letter. I write you in ad-
vance as I am preparing for a journey from which I do not
expect to come back until about the 25th of the month. You
can arrange matters above not to come to see me until about
that time, so that I may not be deprived of the pleasure of
your visit. I have done my best to keep them from visiting
you. I am strongly of the opinion that they should not run
the Derouine but I have gained nothing except to retard things
a little. I have myself made only one little excursion that has
been very unsuccessful. Pichipieca whom I went to see gave
me nothing, his son in law nearly a third of the amount of his
Credit. Kiotom has made little hunt but he is rather old.
Mr Kaokitte denies that he had Credit for a cotton shirt. I
plan to return there in a little while, I do not know whether
I shall succeed any better. I have made some headway with
vieu, the gros puant has made a good hunt, he has as yet given
me on his Credit only some meat, fortunately however, for
without that I should have had very little to eat. I have been
very short of provisions up to these Last Days when providence
willed that I should meet him at the lodge one day when he had
killed eleven Deer of which ten came to me, that gives me hope
of not enjoying lent all winter.
You appeared to me In your Last letter uneasy in regard to
what you Ought to do and you Ask me to tell you what you
should do. I will reply to you as I have above, that you should
come here. I do not pretend to take you under my tutelage,
moreover, being on the spot you know better than I what you
should do, and Moreover when one has done for the best that is
what is asked of him, therefore calm yourself, do the best you
know how and' I am persuaded that all will be well, for the
little you can do you always will do better than I, therefore be
consoled. I have as yet in my storehouse only 30lys of Beaver
& 60 deer skins. Adieu, have good courage, try to salt down
[312]
1778-isioi Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
the meat. I only hope you will live through till spring. Give
an occasional dram to the other savages hut recommend to
Master Antoine not to drink with them as they say he did on
the Ste. Croix. Nothing more except the pleasure of being
your servant and friend,
Jq. Porlier.49
I shall be charmed if you will keep an exact account of what
you receive from our creditors and if you will let me share it.
I have just received from the son of la biche 20 deer skins 9
male and 9 female 2 in bad shape.
Addressed: Monsieur L. Grignon On la Riviere a l'eau de vie. so
49 The preceding letter of Jacques Porlier to Louis Grignon needs
some explanation. It will be seen by reference to a biographical
sketch of him in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 462, that Porlier had
acted as tutor to the young Grignons. The accompanying letter is
written by the elder to the younger man at his wintering post, on
the upper Mississippi. Porlier gives Grignon (for whom see ante,
p. 90, note 27) some friendly advice, the gossip of the trading-post,
news of the Indians' movements, etc. The letter incidently epitomizes
conditions at some of the small interior wintering places. Porlier's
post was located at the mouth of Crow River, near the present Day-
ton, Minn. It seems to have been located on an island. Lieut. Z. M.
Pike stopped there on his descent of the river, four months after the
penning of this letter. Pike met Porlier himself while visiting at
Dickson's wintering post, some miles farther up. Porlier had wintered
there in 1797; but he clearly locates his own post below, where no
doubt the present letter was written. The district was a hunting-
ground for the Menominee Indians, with whom Porlier and Grignon
traded. — Ed.
so "La Riviere a l'eau de vie" was Rum River, outlet of Lake Mille
Lac. It was first visited by Father Hennepin, when in 1680 he was
carried captive to the Sioux village. He calls it in his narrative, St.
Frangois River; afterward it was known by many names, of which
the most frequent was either River "du Lac" or "Issati;" until
Carver gave it (1781) the title of Rum River. The French form of
this name was "L'eau de Vie;" see Elliott Coues, Pike's Expeditions
(N. Y., 1895), p. 356. This is probably the origin of the term "Aude-
vie Creek" that appears on the map accompanying the Biddle edition
of the Lewis and Clark Journals, published in 1814; although Rum
River likewise appears.
Pike's map places traders' houses on the south side of the Mis-
[313]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "B". Secretary of War to Nicolas Boilvin. si]
Was Deptmt. Ap. 10, 1806.
, Sir — You having been appointed an Assistant Indian Agent,
will make the Sacque Village, at the Rapids of the Mississippi,
above the mouth of the River Lemoin,52 your principal place
sissippi, opposite the mouth of Rum River. This may have been the
site of Louis Grignon's wintering place. — Ed.
si Nicolas Boilvin was a native (1761) of Canada, whither his
father had emigrated from France in 1748. The son came to Spanish
Louisiana in 1774. In 1784 he was living in Ste. Genevieve District,
and in 1797 was entrusted with a diplomatic message to visit Boston,
as special agent of the Spanish commissioner, Don Carlos Howard;
see Amer. State Papers, Public Lands, iii, p. 592. For this service he
received from the Spanish government a grant of land three miles
from Grand River; and there married (1802) Helene, daughter of
Hyacinthe St. Cyr. A persistent tradition notes that Boilvin's father
aided a young American officer in Canada during the Revolution;
young Boilvin met the latter in St. Louis, and was recommended by
him for the post of Indian agent. The appointment here noted is for
1806. On the death of John Campbell, Boilvin removed to Prairie du
Chien, and performed the former's duties until regularly appointed
in 1811 as his successor. During the War of 1812-15 Boilvin used his
utmost endeavors to maintain the Indians in the American interest.
These failing, he was obliged temporarily to retreat to St. Louis. Re-
turning in 1815, he maintained his agency until 1827, when he died
while descending the Mississippi. Having been appointed in 1808
justice of the peace of St. Clair County, Indiana, Boilvin was one
of the first American officials to exercise his duties at Prairie du
Chien. — Ed.
52 This village was situated on the site of the present town of Mont-
rose, Iowa, and was known as the "Lower Sauk Town." It seems to
have been in existence as early as 1781, when Spaniards from St.
Louis established a garrison at this place to maintain the Sauk in
their alliance; see Wis. Hist. Colls., iii, p. 504, xi, p. 169, xii, p. 66,
xviii, p. 422. This alliance was maintained, as a rule, throughout the
Spanish occupation. See Black Hawk's Autobiography, where he
speaks of the last time he visited his Spanish father in 1804. British
traders, however, were at the Mississippi villages previous to 1801;
see Wis. Hist. Colls., ix. Occasionally a delegation would seek the
British at Amherstburg, Ontario — Id., xviii, p. 460. In 1804, Gov-
[314]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
■of residence, but will occasionally visit other Towns and places,
particularly the Iawe [Iowa] Towns on the Lemoin, the other
Sacque Towns, and the Prairie due Chien.
You will make every exertion in your power to conciliate the
friendship of the Indians, generally, towards the United States,
.and to encourage a peaceable and friendly disposition among
themselves; to prevent any acts of hostility on red or white
people, and to cause proper punishment to be inflicted on such
individuals as may be guilty of any hostile acts. You will, by
all the means in your power, prevent the use of ardent spirits
among the Indians. No Trader should be allowed to sell or
dispose of any ardent spirits among them ; nor be allowed to
have any at their trading stations.
You will, by precept and example, teach the Indians such of
the arts of agriculture and domestic manufactures, as your
situation will admit. You will give all the aid in your power
to Mr. Ewing,53 who has been placed among the Sacques, for
the purpose of instructing them in the arts of husbandry. You
should early procure Garden seeds, peach and other fruit stones,
and apple seeds. A Garden should be established for the
most useful vegetables, and nurseries planted with fruit trees;
ernor Harrison treated with a small delegation at St. Louis, and
secured from them a large grant of land, which was repudiated by the
majority of the tribe. In this treaty a promise was made of a gov-
ernment trading house, and part of Pike's duty in 1805 was to chooso
a site therefor. It was probably in pursuance of this policy that
Boilvin was commissioned as sub-agent at this village. — Ed.
53 William Ewing had been sent out in 1805, apparently by Governor
Harrison, to instruct the Sauk in agriculture and civilization. He
was under the superintendency of Chouteau, and had an annual salary
of $500 from the United States. Pike found him, with his interpreter
Louis Honore, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, about where the
Mormon town of Nauvoo was later placed. Pike had small opinion of
Ewing's fitness for this task, and General Wilkinson spoke of him as
"a young man of innocence, levity, and simplicity, without experience
or observation." In 1807, Clark made against him graver charges of
incapacity and even of dishonesty; see Coues, Pike's Expeditions, i,
pp. 15, 222, 293. He appears to have been removed soon after Clark's
Teport. — Ed.
[315]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
for the purpose of distributing the most useful seeds and trees
among such of the Chiefs as will take care to cultivate them.
You should also instruct them in the art of cultivating and pre-
serving the fruit trees and garden vegetables.
The cultivation of Potatoes ought to be immediately intro-
duced into your own Garden ; — and the Indians should be en-
couraged to cultivate them, as an important article of food, and
the substitute for bread.
As soon as practicable, you will be furnished with a Black-
smith to make and mend the hoes and axes, and repair the
Guns of the Natives. Ploughs should be introduced, as soon as
any of the Chiefs will consent to use them. I am, respectfully,
Sir, Yr. Obt. Ser4.
[Henry Dearborn]
On margin: Nichl. Boilvin
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
1B15.]
St Louis 7 June 1806.
Dr Franks — As the Boats are just going I have only time to
write you a few Lines I was much surprised at not Receiving
a line from you Since we Parted as you have had repeated
opportunities of writting me I would have wrote you last fall
but the State of my health was so bad that I could not hold a
pen Dr. Jack you cant Imagine the trouble I have had since
I saw you last but it is not Necessary that [I] write to you the
particulars as you must have been informed of it all by this
time. I had a letter from my Robert54 including an advice to
me that I should never consent to any particular payments being
made To any one and I mention it to you hoping that you will
agree in opinion with me that all the returns we have will be
Equally divided e among our Creditors. God knows all wont
be near Enough but it is our duty to act honorably and honestly
54 Probably Robert Aird, mentioned in Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii!,
p. 437.— Ed.
[316]
1778-1815J Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Toward all men and not get discouraged nor dispirited for one
bad Year, the returns from the Missouri are certainly bad but
no worse that I expected when I found I was detained at Illi-
noix to the month of Octr. I was convinced the season was over
for me to do Any thing considerable however I still hope to
mend them a little this Summer I intend leaving this in three
•days to proceed up to the River plate [Platte] where I left
the Goods and if I can dispose of them Between this and the
month of Aug* I intend comming down To meet the goods and
bring down the pack that I may thare make'"'5 I beg you will
not Neglect writting me as often as opportunity offers I beg
you will not get discouraged but keep up your spirits and I
think we have a fair Chance of overcoming all our difficulties.
Excuse hast and Believe [me] to be Dr Jack Your Sincer Friend
James Aird
Addressed: Mr Jacob Franks Michillimackinac.
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1B17. Translated from the
French. Date, about I806 or 1807.]
My dear Sir — I flatter myself that you have been long
enough alone this summer to profit by it and that you will find
yourself in a condition to resist your neighbors banded to-
gether against you. You will need to put every thing in shape
to resist the storm, and I hope from your activity and your
talents that they will not hinder you from making your returns
55 Aird's difficulties had not all ended; in July he lost a boat, sunk
in the Missouri during a serious storm. He therefore determined to
continue farther up the river, where (Sept. 3, 1806) he encountered
the return expedition of Lewis and Clark; see Thwaites, Original
Journals of Lewis and Clark, Expedition (N. Y., 1905), pp. 374-376.
Aird was the first person met by the explorers after their own ab-
sence of over two years from the settlements. They eagerly ques-
tioned him for news, of which he made a considerable report. He
was preparing, so Clark tells us, to form an establishment among
the Yankton Sioux, not far from Vermilion River, S. Dak. — Ed.
[317]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. yis.
although I recommend to you to hold the price until the Last
Moment. ! That is not to say that you should allow the others-
to make it. You should conform to the price and when it be-
comes too low, allow the others to fix it and try and incite them
always to Make it lower. But if there is any Means of accord
that will be preferable.
I recommend you to try for good peltry, especially deer
skins; get as many rats [muskrats] also as possible Do not
neglect the fat. Adieu I have good hope for your affairs.
Keep well. I am your Servant and Friend
Jq. Porlier, Agent
Mr. A. Grignon Wisconsing
1807: OPERATIONS OF DUBUQUE
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1B21. Translated from the
French.]
De la prerye da chients 3 June 1807.
Mbtb Rochebleve & poollier d Coy
Sirs — by Mr Brisebois56 you will receive twenty eight packs
and four ditto for Mr. Berthelotte all together making thirty
two packs whose invoice is enclosed, and which you will receive
and send on to be sold on the account I owe you
I have drawn on you for the wages of only one man to whom
is due 689lvs. the rest I have drawn for Mr. Brisebois which
I suppose will only be to transfer it from one leaf to another of
your books.
Probably you will be astonished at so small returns this year.
It is true, but consider the circumstances which have caused
this small result. For seeing the fine appearances of last
autumn I arranged with 8 men to trap Beaver on the Missourrye
For a brief sketch of Brisbois, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 495,.
note 29. — Ed.
[318]
i778-i8i5i Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
I Lad sent them An Outfit [ ?] to make their Entrance into the
village and entrench it etc. When they had gone ten days
journey or had camped ten times they met the Sioux of Des
Moins river, and had a little Broil with them. They all gave
up the enterprise and came to pass the winter opposite their
village eating up their maize since they had no meat to eat.
This spring they came to return to me what remained, their
guns, traps and Kettles, and I refused to accept them only re-
plying that the loss was total. I told them that these credits
remained for another year, which they must make up. But
this Misfortune makes me wish to give up trading and I will
really quit it when affairs have "become settled up.
I pray you not to be apprehensive for the Balance that re-
mains against me — it is true that I am on the wrong side of the
account But when I die I have funds that belong to me that
will more than equal the Balance owing you. For all the small
debts that I owe you I would much prefer to pay in peltry than
to draw on you for money.
I inform you that I have waited in vain since I had the honor
of receiving a letter from you last Autumn and for information
of the inheritance that I charged you to recover. I do not
know the result, but whatever it may Be I always await with
Great impatience whatever you may have to tell me.
I had hoped to go to Makinac this year but an alarm spread
among the Savages renders my presence necessary in my locality
and I must postpone my journey until next year.
As for the Accounting that you ask me for, I make it the
same as to what I owe you as you and every one does. But
there are some small differences in regard to the price made on
sugar, rum, and powder; and after these are settled, I will ad-
just the Balance whenever you wish.
Since we have learned from you that I have had my lands
confirmed, I await a favorable opportunity to sell a portion of
them to satisfy those that I owe, and to have left sufficient to
live on the remainder.
I am, awaiting the honor of one of your letters, and the
[319]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
pleasure of seeing you afterward, one who has the honor to be,
Messieurs, Your very humble and very affectionate Servant
J. Dubuque57
Addressed: Messieurs Mers Rochebleve & porlier C°. Merchants at
Mackinac
Endorsed: J Dubuck 1807
57 Julien Dubuque, who seems to have been the first permanent
white settler of Iowa, who has left behind him a record of his life,
was born in Lower Canada, Jan. 10, 1762. His mother was a Malhiot,
and he was probably a kinsman of Victor Malhiot and Jacques Porlier.
His inclination led /him into the fur-trade, and by 1785 he was at
Prairie du Chien, having a trading house on the Iowa side. There
he came in contact with the Sauk and Foxes, and learned of the lead
mines in their territory which they rudely worked. In 1788 he se-
cured an important concession from these tribesmen to work the
mines at what he called the "Spanish diggings," near the site of the
city now bearing his name; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiii, pp. 279-283.
In 1796 the Spanish government gave him some kind of title to his
lands, which became the basis of a law-suit, that was not terminated
until (1853) the Iowa supreme court decided against the assignees of
Dubuque's title. The inheritance of which he speaks in this let-
ter, is probably a Canadian claim on the estate of some of his rela-
tives. On his voyage of 1805 Pike met Dubuque and found him
evasive and non-committal concerning his mining interests. He died
in 1810, and his grave on a high bluff below Dubuque was long an
object of interest to travellers. Contrary to the ordinary belief, he
was at the time of his death much indebted to St. Louis and Mackinac
traders. Many letters in the manuscript collections of the "Wisconsin
Historical Library relate to the settlement of his estate. For a con-
siderable biography of Dubuque, see Annals of Iowa, 3d series, vol.
ii, pp. 329-336.— Ed.
[ 320 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1807: A TYPICAL INVOICE
[Source, same as preceding document. Pressmark: Account Book 22.
Translated from the French.]
1807 Returns of Oliva 38 Invoice
By different articles of clothing
294
12
By diverse Merchandise
868
12
Advances made to the men
1004
15
3 bearskin coverings
10
30
483 female deerskins
4.10
2173
10
154 male do
6
924
70 fisher
9
630
26 Red Foxes
7
182
62 Martens
6
372
8 Otters
20
160
1 made into a sack
18
18
6 lynx
4
24
14 fine bearskins
50
700
6 Common Do
36
216
4 bear cubs
24
96
27 lvs of Beaver
16
432
1466 muskrats
1.10
2199
510 wildcats
3
1530
100 mink
4
400
2 dressed deerskins
10
20
1 " doe skin
12
12
1 green do
10
10
100 lvs of Suet or Fat
1.10
150
1000 lvs of Sugar
.10
500
36 lvs of feathers
1.10
54
13000
9
68 Frederic Oliva's father came to Canada from Hesse Cassel, after
the English conquest. The son was in the fur-trade during the early
years of the nineteenth century, and during the War of 1812-15
acted as government agent at Mackinac. He died in 1819. — Ed.
21
[321]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1807: INFLUENCE OF TECUMSEH'S BROTHER
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 15, p. 50.]
St. Joseph's 59 1st Sept. 1807.
My Dear Father — I avail myself of the opportunity of
Mr. Boucharville60 who leaves this tomorrow for Makina in
order to embark on board of the "Adams" for Detroit. Wo
are continually on the look out for the "Gen1. Hunter" in hopes
of hearing from you & all our freinds in your Quarter. This
place is destitute of News since the Montreal Canoes have done
plying. All the Ottawas from L'arbe au Croche adhere strictly
to the Shawney Prophet's61 advice they do not wear Hats, Drink
or Conjure, they intend all to Visit him this Autumn, which
will occasion a great scarsity of corn at this post & Makina.
The Merchants will suffer by it as they have not provided them-
selves with that Article Whisky & Rum is a Drug, the In-
dians do not purchase One Galln. per month. I saw upwards
of 60 of them at one time together spirits, rum & whisky was
offered for nothing to them if they would drink but they refused
it with disdain. The Chiefs reply to the officer Commanding
59 For this post see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 447, note 68. — Ed.
60 Possibly Pierre Amable Boucher, Sieur de Boucherville (1780-
1857), who was several times in the upper country; once in 1813,
when aide-de-camp to General Prevost. See Id., xii, p. 145. — Ed.
61 The Shawnee Prophet was a brother of Tecumseh, his name being
Tenkswatawa, or Elkswatawa. About 1805 he assumed the character
of a prophet, and began a course of religious instruction that sprea.1
from the Indians of Florida to those of Saskatchewan. Among the
tenets of the new doctrine was abjuration of the white man's dress
and the white man's "firewater." This is interesting testimony to
his success among the tribes of the North. In 1811, in Tecumseb's
absence, the prophet brought about the Battle of Tippecanoe. When
defeated, the prophet's influence waned. He did not fight with the
British in the War of 1812-15, but removed to Canada with his fel-
low tribesmen. After Tecumseh's death, the prophet sunk into ob-
scurity, and in 1827 removed with his tribe to the trans-Mississippi,
where in 1834 he died. On the popularity of his religious impulse, see
James Mooney, "Ghost Dance Religion," in U. S. Bureau of Ethnology,
14th Report, chaps, iii, iv. — Ed.
[ 322]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
when he offered them some of his milk was That when they
were young & had no teeth to eat they could not get any of their
Fathers milk & used to beg constantly for [it] to suck, but
now that they were grown up & had good teeth they didn't see
why their Father should be so generous with offers of giving
them some, especially as they could eat all the provissions he
might give them. A number of Old men who knew you at
Makina addressed me as the Commissary s son. One of the
Chimneys of the House you built at Old Makina fell down
only last Summer. Several large trees have grown upwards
of a fathom in Cercumferance about the Garden. I'm led to
believe that they are Pickets which you planted for enclosures
which have taken root as they are populars they could not have
grown to that size since you left it.62 The following persous
arrived this day from Makina on their way to Montreal — Tous*
Pothier,63 Campbell, Giasson, Davd Mitchel Jr.64 Pothier &
62 Old Mackinaw is on the south side of the straits, and near the
site of the French and British forts of 1713-80. Askin removed with
the troops to Mackinac Island in 1781. — Ed.
63 Toussaint Pothier was the son of a fur-trader of the same name,
who was one of the North West associates. The younger Pothier was
born in Montreal in 1770, and entered the company's employ in 1790.
He became one of its most prominent supporters, and in 1812 was in
charge of the trading post at St. Joseph's Island. There he organized
a corps of 160 voyageurs, and aided in the capture of Mackinac from
the Americans. He was afterwards major of militia, member of the
legislative council, seignior of fete. Marie de Lanaudiere, and died at
Montreal Oct. 25, 1845. — Ed.
64 Probably John Campbell, who was a Scotch-Irish trader on the
upper Mississippi as early as 1792. It it not yet apparent how, about
1802, he secured the appointment of United States Indian agent at
Prairie du Chien. The same date he, together with Robert Dickson,
was appointed a justice of the peace for Indiana Territory. It was
said that he performed marriages at Prairie du Chien, his fee being
100 pounds of flour; see Wis. Hist. Colls., ii, pp. 120, 121. Pike met
him on his Mississippi voyage in 1805, and speaks favorably of his
character. For his death in a duel at Mackinac, see documents post.
David Mitchell, Jr., was probably a son of Dr. Mitchell, noted in Id.,
xviii, p. 496, note 30. The son appears, however, to have had about
this time a business house in Montreal. — Ed.
[ 323 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
that poor simple man J. Bleakly all members or Partners in the
South West Co. I intend to send down so much. Cedar Bark
as will cover my Farm House & Barn as soon as I can [get]
them embarked I'm told they make verry good Covering far
superior to any other bark. I have not seen half a Doz11. of
white fish since my arrival this is most barron place I believe
in the whole Western Country. Doc* Richardson praised this
place most on Account of Ducks Babbits Hares & pheasants
but they must have all been eat by him, for I have not cast my
eyes on any yet.
Madelaine and the Children are well. She presents her love
to you & my Dear Mother. Please assure Mr & Mrs Barthe
of our best wishes for their welfare & family & hope they have
not been visited by the fever this year
Accept my sincere wishes for your & my Dear Mothers
Health Respects to my Brothers & Sisters. I remain Dear
Father yr Dutiful son
J^o. Askin Jr.85
John Aslcin Esquire, Strabcme Near Sandwich
1808: WISCONSIN AGENT KILLED IN DUEL
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 164.]
i 1
St. Josephs 17th Augt. 1808.
~M.y Dear Father — My letter per the "General Hunter" was
very short, owing to the Business I had on hand which con-
sisted of Report of Survey etc & my mind wholely taken up
with the narrow escape I had of my being supersceded without
any reasons assigned for the same. I entertain hopes that my
65 John Jr. was the eldest son of John Askin, and had a home at
Amherstburg. In 1807 he received the appointment of storekeeper and
interpreter at St. Joseph's Island. Thence he led the Indians in the
capture of Mackinac (1812), and it was largely due to him that no
massacre occurred. During the war he was active in furnishing sup-
plies, etc. Later he returned to Amherstburg, where he died about
1823.— Ed.
[ 324]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
Enemies will let me alone after they have been so compleated
frustrated on their operations. Count Chabot will I'm per-
suaded speak to the Governor in Chief in my behalf, thats to
say he will give His Excellency an Account of my Character &
Ability. No doubt you have been informed of the unfortunate
meeting between Mr. Redford Crawford of the Mississippi &
Mr J Campbell Agent of Indian Affairs for the United States
of the Ouisconsan. it appears a misunderstanding took place
over the Bottle, a Challange took place, they met & were pre-
vented from accomplishing their ends by the Makina Justice
but agreed to meet some place along Lake Huron near or about
the Detour (the place I cannot assertain exactly) where poor
Campbell received a Mortal Wound, he was brought to this
in a Canoe mann'd by American Soldiers, who* put him ashore
& immediately returned to the American Side, the infortu-
nate man Died the Second day after his arrival & his corps was
taken back to Makina, agreeable to a wish he had expressed on
his arrival. Redford Crawford & his second immediately
went back to Makina, from the place where the Duel took place
w\ his Second Robert Dickson. As its probable that Mr Craw-
ford & Dickson will return to the country where this mans
family resides, I'm approhensive that they will meet with a
great deal of difficulty & its the general Oppinion that they will
loose what property they may take in that Country.
I send Mr. J. & Mrs Barthe Senr a Mocouts of Sugar ad-
dressed to your Care. One for Mr Badishon wh Madelain &
my Comps, a Mocouts marked I P for Mr Peltier68 & a Bundle.
You'll receive One Mocouts Sugar, a Bundle of Mats, & a
mocout of dryed Huckleberrys which you'll please accept of.
The sugar is very clean I believe having received it from a
clean woman.
Madelain e & the Children are well & all join me in Sincere
wishes for your & My Dear Mothers Health & prosperity Our
«« Jacques Peltier (Pelletier) was the father-in-law of John Askin.
The family was prominent in early Detroit history, and many of
their descendants yet live in the vicinity. — Ed.
[ 325 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. six
Love to Charles, James, Alex, Alice, Nelly & Brush & Patter-
son [Pattinson].67 I remain My Dear Father
Jno. Askin Jr.
[P. S.] Comp3 to Mr L. Barthe inform him I have not for-
got him but cannot procure at present what Stone he wants for
pipes.
An Indian by the name of Bay shay mekoquan from S aging
a place where the "Weasel" was lost informes me that he found
an Anchor at that place & that Jn. Marice Bobien68 claimed it
as yours & reed. it, but afterward told the Indians that it was
not yours, but it had been lost by Mr. L. Barthe when com-
manding a Kings Vessel & that it was to be ret'd to the King,
this happened three years ago that Beaubien got the Anchor.
John Askin Esq. Strabane.
1808: DIRECTIONS FOR FACTORS
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter Book
"A," p. 231. Instructions to Mathew Irwin and Jos. B. Varnuni.69]
Office of In: Trade, Geo Town, Wash: 9 Sept. 1808.
Mathw. Irwin Esq Chicago
Sir — Having been appointed agent of Indian Trade at Chi-
cago, by direction of the Secretary of war, I now transmit the
Instructions which are to govern your conduct.
67 These were brothers and sisters of the writer; the last two,
brothers-in-law. — Ed.
68 Probably Jean Marie Beaubien, a well-known French-Canadian of
Detroit, born in 1745. He was a captain of militia, and held several
offices in the early city. — Ed.
69 For a sketch of the career of Maj. Matthew Irwin, see Wis. Hist.
Colls., vii, pp. 269, 270, 475. The following document shows that his
appointment as factor at Chicago was made two years earlier than
there stated.
Joseph Bradley Varnum was a son of the Massachusetts general of
that name, who was in the house of representatives (1795-1811),
its speaker for two terms, and United States senator (1811-16).
[ 326 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1st. The principal object of the Government in these estab-
lishments being to secure the Friendship of the Indians in our
country in a way the most beneficial to them and the most ef-
fectual and economical to the United States, you will avail
yourself of every proper means and opportunity of impressing
these People favourably toward the Government ; let every
transaction with them be so conducted as to inspire them with
full confidence in its honor Integrity and good faith and in that
of its agents; let no imperfect goods be passed on them, with-
out a previous notice of and allowance for such imperfection;
and you will strictly require from them and encourage them to
the same conduct ; all attempts on their part at Fraud, Trick or
deception should be discountenanced and prevented if possible,
and when such things do happen, they should be reproved in
the most instructive and dignified manner; you will neverthe-
less be conciliatory in all your intercourse with the Indians and
so demean, yourself towards .them generally and toward their
chiefs in particular as to obtain and preserve their Friendship
and to secure their attachment to the United States.
2nd. The prices you put on the Goods you have on sale must
necessarily vary according to circumstances, but that which you
will consider as the standard advance on the price charged in
the Invoices received from this Office, will rate from 66 2/3 to
100 per centum and this you will consider as the estimate to
cover the cost of transportation and to yeild such profit only
as will indemnify the establishment for the expences at your
Trading House and on the returns made by you to bring round
Through his influence, Joseph Varnum was appointed factor at Chicago,
and continued there until transferred to Mackinac (1808). In the
early part of 1812 he was at Detroit because of illness, therefore es-
caped capture at Mackinac. However, he was made a prisoner at
Hull's surrender, but was soon afterwards released at Toronto be-
cause of illness. After recovering health at his Massachusetts home,
Varnum was assistant postmaster for the army on the Niagara frontier.
After the close of the war, he acted for two years as Astor's agent;
but abandoning the fur-trade about 1817, he returned to New York,
and became a wholesale dry-goods merchant. There he died in 1867,
leaving a considerable estate. — Ed.
[ 327 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
the sales of Furs and peltries without loss, as to the prices al-
lowed to Indians for the Skins you will be governed generally
by those to which they have been accustomed and at which you
can obtain them without giveing them dissatisfaction but after
all much must be left to your discretion and prudence so to re-
duce or raise your prices as compared with the standard ad-
vance and with the rate you may be obliged to allow for Skins
as to enable us to pay all charges and to avoid sinking money,
to enable you to judge of which the rate of sales of the Skins
will be occasionally furnished you.
3rd. The goods to be sent you from time to time are in-
tended for sale to the Indians (and it is the express direction
of the secretary of war that) no white persons are to be con-
sidered as having any right to be furnished with Factory Goods
and except in very particular and pressing cases, no sales should
be made to white persons of any description whatsoever and in
no case but for prompt pay and at an advance of 10 per cent
on the Indian Prices and you will be held accountable for the
payment of all articles sold to white People on credit excepting
(to the U. S. Army officers, and soldiers, under direction, or
orders for the officers).70 Credits may however be given to
Principal cheifs of good character. If a professed white
Trader wants goods you are not to sell him at any price any
article you may possibly be in want of for the Indians If you
have a surplus of others you may useing great caution sell
them but then only at an advance of 10 per cent on the current
prices.
4th. A suitable guard will be furnished you (by order of
the Secretary of war) by the Officer commanding the Garrison
near you, you will however be absent as little as possible from
the Store, an Interpreter when necessary will be furnished you
and it is of importance that he should be a person of sober dis-
creet and temperate habits and attached to the Interests of fihe
United States.
™ The portion in parentheses was inserted in the original draft, in
pencil. — Ed.
[ 328 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
5th. You are restricted by Law from carrying on any Trade
commerce or Barter on your account or any other, except for
the United States as you will observe by the Law establishing
Indian Trading Houses passed on the 21st. April 1806.71
6th. The sale of ardent spirits is most strictly prohibited.
7th. You will furnish me once a year with your list of arti-
cles wanted for the succeeding year and as early in the season as-
possible and not later than the 1st. of Octr. it being of great
advantage to have ample time to make purchases let your lists
be full clear and explicit in description as to each article and
always bear in mind that good supplies must depend upon ade-
quate remittances.
8th. You will take the greatest possible care to ascertain
and examine the quality of the Furs and Peltries you receive
to see that their quality is fairly proportioned to the price
allowed, that their condition is good to preserve them with at-
tention while in your possession and to send them off in good
order carefully and safely packed and so time their departure
as that they arrive early in Spring or late in Fall that by
avoiding the warm weather on the route they may be saved
from the worm, particularly you are to be watchfull to avoid
the imposition of private Traders who may attempt to make
instruments of the Indians or otherwise to put off on you bad
Skins and to get hold of your goods for the purposes of their
Trade take72 in as small a proportion of Deer Skins as you
can with propriety do and forward whatever you receive as
returns (Cash, Notes and drafts excepted) to Genl. Peter
Gansevoost Jr. military agent for the United States at Albany,
forward to me the Invoices respectively as you send of the arti-
cles to Albany and a duplicate to him.
9th. All remittances of Bills notes or Cash must be made
to me and under my direction and you are to correspond with
take orders on all commercial operations from and keep all your
71 The fourth and fifth articles of instruction are crossed through,
as if for erasure. — Ed.
72 All of the remainder of this paragraph was crossed out in the
original draft. — Ed.
[ 329 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
accounts with me If any communication of a civil or Political
nature be necessary you will make them separately and in a
direct correspondence with the Secretary of War. If any of
the Officers of Government who are well known to you want
Cash you may take their drafts for it on any of the Depart-
ments at the Seat of Government.
10th. You will keep correct accounts of every transaction
in a Day Book, Journal, and Ledger and Cash Book, In they
Day Book every thing must be recorded you will also keep an
Invoice Book and a Letter Book, you will render me quarter
yearly accounts of all money goods and property whatsoever
which shall be transmitted you or which shall come into your
hands and you shall transmit duplicates of your accot. to the
Secretary of the Treasury of the, IT. S. these accounts you will
make up to the last days Inclusively of March, June, Septr.
and December in each year they will comprise abstracts of your
acct. Books balanced up to and includeing those days respec-
tively as to Sales recpts. expenditures and stock on hand, the
stock on hand you will detail clearly and accurately by In-
ventory this point as to makeing up to the given day and trans-
mitting regularly your accounts and Inventory is so essential
that it must not be dispensed with in any Instance and you
must be as early as possible after the time to which made up in
sending them off.
Assureing you of my prompt attention to all your communi-
cations and with best wishes for the success of your Trading
House,73 I am very Kespectfully
[John Mason] Supr. In: Tr.74
Endorsed: A copy of the foregoing was sent to Jos: B. Varnum
Esq at Michilimackinac
73 In original, this final paragraph was crossed out with pencil. — Ed.
74 John Mason was the fourth son of George Mason of Gunston Hall.
Born in 1766, John entered the mercantile profession and lived some
years at Bordeaux, Prance. After his father's death, he settled on his
estate near Georgetown and in 1806 was appointed superintendent ol
Indian Trade, according to the law of that year authorizing such an
appointment. During the "War of 1812-15 he was commissary-general
[ 330 ]
1778-18151
Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 224. |
Office or Indian Trade Geohge Town (Washington)
10th. Septemr. 1808.
Joseph B Varnum Esqr. Agent for the United States at Michilimackinac
Sir — It having been determined to establish a Factory for
Indian Trade at Michilimackinac, I have the pleasure to in-
form you, that you have been appointed by the Secretary of
War to take charge of that establishment and Matthew Irwin
Esqr. of Philadelphia who will hand this and other dispatches
for you, has been appointed to succeed you at Chicago The
absence of the Secretary from the Seat of Government at this
time prevents the issuing of your Commission, on his return,
next month, it will be forwarded you, when a new Bond and
oath of Office from you will be required — of this I shall write
you in due time.
I hand you under cover an Invoice of 172 Packages [of J
Goods intended for the new trading house at Mackinac Post
including a sett of Books and stationary for the use of the
Factory, the assortment and qualities have been obtained
from a person well skilled in the Trade of that part of the
Country, and on whose judgment and information we had
reason to believe dependence could be placed — so that I trust
they will be found to answer well, and as the amount is con-
siderable, I flatter myself you will be able to open the Xew
establishment to considerable advantage. When the goods are
opened and examined, and you shall have made yourself ac-
quainted with the fashion and quality of the Articles in de-
of prisoners; hence the courtesy title, "General" Mason, by which he
was usually known. He continued to superintend the Indian trade
until 1816, being then replaced by Thomas L. McKenney. The re-
mainder of his long life was spent on his estates. He lived in his
later years at "Clermont," in Fairfax County, where he died in 1849.
His son James was Confederate commissioner to England in 1861;
his daughter was the mother of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. On taking office,
McKenney commented on the accuracy and the systematic care which
his predecessor had used in the business of the department. — Ed.
[331]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
mand in that quarter by the Indians, you will be pleased [to]
remark particularly on such (if any) as may not suit — and
describe accurately which will, and where description cannot
well carry a correct idea of the thing in question send us Sam-
ples.
I have directed Mr. Irwin who has charge of these goods to
store them at Mackinac safely and subject to your order as he
passes that place, there to await your arrival which I hope will
be very soon after he reaches Chicago, as it is extremely de-
sirable that you should be located at Mackinac and have the
new Establishment opened before winter sets in, for which I
calculate there is yet full time — if Mr. Irwin should be for-
tunate to meet with no unforeseen delay, I have urged on him
every possible exertion to reach you quickly <md must beg on
your part, that nothing be left undone to Inventory and give
up to him all the Goods and other public property at the Fac-
tory at Chicago including those Goods now Invoiced for that
place forwarded by Mr. Irwin and addressed to you, and to
repair to Mackinac and open the New Trading House there
with the least possible loss of time. Should it however un-
fortunately happen, that he does not get to Chicago in time as
to Frost, for you to repair safely to your destined station — in
that case, and in that case only, you will continue at Chicago
'till the Spring, as principal, and Mr. Irwin will, act there as
your assistant, and he is instructed accordingly, and you will
give up to him the Factory at Chicago and remove to Mackinac
as early in Spring as practicable, it was to provide against
such a possible state of things that in writing to [you] yester-
day as agent at Chicago, I addressed the present Invoice of
Goods for that place to you. A dwelling House and Stores at
Mackinac suitable for the intended Factory have been rented
as long ago as December last, by the Secretary of War, of a Mr.
Campbell, as you will see by the inclosed Letters (Copies) which
passed between them on 16th. December, Certified from the
War Office and which I hope will be found sufficient to enable
you to get immediate possession. As I presume Mr. Campbell
must immediately after the engagement have directed his
[ 332]
i778-i8i5j Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
agent there to deliver the Stores to the United States Factor
when called for. In the absence of the Secretary, I have an-
nexed an order for them which I presume will be sufficient, in
case of a necessity of Communicating with him. Mr. Camp-
bell resides at Prarie des Cheins on the upper Mississippi and
has lately been appointed Indian Agent there for the United
States. The rent is to be paid by you from time to time, at
the stipulated rate, say $150 pr an: when it is to commence
must depend on circumstances, — if Mr. Campbell has held the
house empty to our Order, it ought to be paid from the time
it was so ready to be delivered to us; otherwise only from the
time you get possession.75
Referring for all that relates to your accounts and Agency at
Chicago to my Letter of yesterday, I am Sir very respectfully
Your Mo obt Servt
J. M. Supr. Ind. Trade.
P. S. In the present Invoice there are only 171 Packages,
one to go from !N"ew York and some additional charges will be
stated in my next J M
1809: MICHILIMACKINAC FACTORS
[Source, same as preceding document, but Letter Book "B", p. 434.]
War Department 26 April 1809.
{ Sir — Your letter of the 18th. of February last addressed to
my predecessor in office has been received. I have also been
favored by Genl. Mason with a perusal of your letter to him
under date of the 12th. of March.
Having maturely considered the subject, it is thought best,
both as it respects yourself and the public Interest that you
should be charged with the Factory at Michilimacinac ; to which
place you will immediately repair on the Arrival of Mr. Irwin
at Chicago, to whom you will make over all the public property
75 It is evident that the authorities at Washington had not yet
learned of the death of Campbell, as mentioned ante, p. 325. — Ed.
[ 333 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
at that Place, now under your direction, with such Advice as
may be useful to him in conducting the business as your Suc-
cessor.
Should the building at Michilimacinac mentioned in your
Letter to Genl Mason, appear on examination to be well cal-
culated for a public Store, you will please to consult with the
Officer commanding at that Post, on his relinquishing of it,
for some other Situation, whitch it is hoped may be procured,
that will equally well accommodate him. I am etc.
[William Eustis]
Addressed: J. B. Varnum, Jr.
1809: THE MACKINAC COMPANY
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library: Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
60B27.]
Know all Men by these presents that we James McGill,
Francis Desrivieres and Thomas Blackwood, trading under the
Firm of James & Andw McGill & Co. of Montreal Merchants,70
have made, constituted & ordained, and by these presents do
make, constitute & ordain Jacques Porlier, and Jean Baptiste
Berthelot, jointly & severally, our true & lawful Attornies for
the special purpose of appearing for & representing us, in the
General Council or Councils to be held at St Josephs or else-
where, conformable to the Articles of Agreement of the Michil-
limakinac Company, and in every such Council or Councils
for us, and in our name to vote & give their opinion for us, as
fully & amply as if we were personally Present, hereby ratify-
ing & approving of whatever our Said Attornies may do in the
premises. And this Power shall be in force and continue until
the tenth day of April now next ensuing and no longer.
In Witness whereof we have set our Hands & Seals at Mom
76 Andrew McGill died in 1805. For James McGill, see Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, p. 326. Francois Desrivieres was son of an early trader
of that name, and a stepson of James McGill. Thomas Blackwood was
a well-known Montreal merchant, who in 1812 was officer in the local
militia and in 1821 one of the founders of the General Hospital. — Ed.
[ 334 ]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
treal this 15th day of May in the Year of our Lord 1809. At
Montreal aforesaid where no Stamps are used
James McGill [Seal]
Franc. Desrivieres [Seal]
Tho. Blackwood [Seal]
Signed Sealed and delivered before John Grant Junior;
Peter Harkness
1809: HATTERS' FURS FROM FACTORIES
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book B, p. 63. Extract from a letter of John Mason Supt. to Gen.
Henry Dearborn, Boston, dated Georgetown, Oct. 9, 1809.]
I am sorry to say that so miserable has been the trafic of our
Factories on the lakes for the last year, that they furnish no
Hatters furs worth dividing — or which it would be proper to
send further for a market than New York the place where they
are first landed on the Sea Board — the whole quantity (of the
kinds you mention as wanting in Boston) not exceeding about
10,000 Racoon skins, 3,000 muskrat skins and 40 or 50 of
Beaver & no old Coat — the Mackinac Factory has not yet got
into operation
# * * * * * * *
The factors complain of the hard winter and give this as a
reason why the Indians hunted much less than usual — should
we be more fortunate another season on the lakes as I trust
with the assistance of the Michilimackinac Factory we shall —
the applications from the Boston Hatters shall not be forgotten.
I shall take pleasure in recommending that a trial be made of
some of the Furs in that market.
[ 335 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1810: AMERICANS ABSORB MONTREAL FUR-TRADE
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 16, p. 50.]
Montreal 26 February 1810.
My Dear Old Friend — I received a letter from you last
fall and wrote to you the same time which is very extraordinary
that you did not recieve it. there is no safty in writing other-
wise than by post, as the Boatmen is very careless. I also this
day had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 13th January
and am Happy to find that you and yours are in good Health,
which is one of the greatest blessings Providence can bestow on
us poor Mortals, also that you are exempt from the many
troubles, vexations, and disapointments attending those who
are in commerce, for my part I have had a severe Bileous Fever
which I got in Lake Champlain, which was near puting an
end to our friendly intercource, however it pleased providence
to Lengthen out my span, for sometime longer, I wish when it
was in my power to have retired from active live to have don°,
as you did, when we are young we do not feel the effects of
misfortune, so much as when we grow old, however when I look
arround I find many worse than myself which is a consolation,
our old friend Todd is in New York and has been there all
winter, which has been a loss to our Sociaty, especially to me,
he being the only old friend, except Mr. Frobisher, who has not
changed their dispositions, some from geting rich others from
having obtain'd places — & has raised them in their own imagina-
tion above their old acquaintance, and I am sorry to say your
friend McGill is one of that number, the poplation of this city
within this two years exceeds all imagination, the whole trade
of the Country is carried on by Americans, and their agents,
and I expect the Indian Trade will fall into their Hands, as
Mr Astore offerd to purchase out the Makenau Co. he has a
Charter from Congress to an exclusive right to the Indian
Trade, and I understand he is to be conected with the N W
Company to make settlements on the North West coast of
America, to communicate with the inland ~N W Trade. Mr
[ 336 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
MGillavray is now in New York & Mr Richardson on that
business.77
I hope jour reading this Letter will not give you the blue?,
it is a bad rainy day that has affected my spirrits, the next I
hope will be better, we have had a disagreeable winter, more
sickness in the Country & Town than ever was known. I have
not heard from Mr Brush this 12 Months, let me know whether
he is dead, or no. Mrs. Henry and my Daughter are all I have
of my family, two of my boys in the N West, one on board of
a Man of Warr. my paper is almost full therefore I must
close (is it possible we will never meet in this world) Mrs
Henry Etc., Join in wishing you & Mrs Askin every Happiness
this world can give remain Dear Askin your old friend
Alexander Henry
John Askin Esquire, Strabane Detroit
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
1B34.1
Montreal, June 8, 1810.
Mr. Jacques Porlier
Sir — This will be delivered by Messrs. Gillespie78 and Pothier,
who carry up ample powers for the purchase for the whole of
the Interest of the Wintering Partners in the Concerns of the
late Micha. Co., or for winding up the business according to
the original agreement.
Notwithstanding the favorable Sales of Deer & Beaver, we
77 This refers to Astor's plans for the founding of Astoria. In
1808 he obtained a charter for the American Fur Company and in
1810 bought out the Mackinac Company, uniting it with the former
and denominating it South West Company. In his plans for the
Pacific trade, Astor made overtures to the North West partners, which
were later rejected. Whereupon he managed the company on his own
account — a measure that ultimately led to the failure of the enter-
prise.— Ed.
78 George Gillespie, a prominent Montreal merchant who had in 1798
been in charge of the house of the North West Company at St.
Joseph's. In 1808 he went to Washington to remonstrate against the
embargo. — Ed.
22 [ 337 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
do not see that a loss on the whole business of the Compy can
be avoided, unless the Returns of this year should be great, and
the Sales very favorable.
Whatsoever you may determine upon in respect to a con-
tinuance of your own Interest in the present years Outfit or
not, we hope that you will alike be disposed to give your best
aid towards making the most of matters for those who may run
the risk, whosoever they may be ; because if you sell out, a fair
consideration for your services will be allowed. And even if
what the Attornies of the four Houses may offer you in such
case should be considered by you too small, we would readily
credit to the account of your late Firm or your part of it, such
Sum as would make up the difference between your ideas of the
allowance for services if you sell out, and what the said Attor-
nies may offer you. The Sales MK [Mackinac] in London
have been.
Deer Skirls Gro: average about 7 sh. 2d per skin
Beaver " " 13 " per skin
Otter " " 16 44 3? per skin
Fisher 44 " 7 44 per skin
33 Bear 44 4 4 20 4 4 4 4 4 4
21 Swanskins 4 4 4 4 30 44
The Racoons & Minks are still unsold We remain, Sir, Your
most Obed4 Servants
Forsyth Richardson & Co.
Endorsed by Porlier, in French: 1810 Letter of Mr. Richardson
mentioning the dissolution of the Company of MKa. and the compensa-
tion allowed to the proprietors of the interior.
1811: EMBARGO AFFECTS FUR-TRADE
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "C", p. 75. Circular Letter to Indian agents.]
War Department April 15th. 1811.
Sir — It is possible (indeed it has been intimated) that in
consequence of the operation of the late Law prohibiting the
[ 338 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
importation into the United States of British Goods,79 the Brit-
ish Agents and Traders with the Indians, may attempt to ex-
cite in their minds, prejudices and hostile dispositions towards
the United States, insinuating, that as the British Goods in-
tended for their trade, will not be permitted to enter and pas3
the American posts on the Western Frontier, this act, which
has been dictated as a measure of general policy in relation to
Great Britain, was intended as an act of hostility against the
Indians. You will be on your guard ; and use all proper mean3
to anticipate and frustrate any such attempts: Explaining to
the chiefs of the several Tribes as occasion may offer, that the
Government of the U. S. has been compelled by long continued
injuries and violations of their rights on the part of Great
Britain for which no satisfaction or redress has been had, to
interdict their trade rather than make war against them:
That as the White people have it is expected the Red people will,
submit to an inconvenience which it is in the power of Great
Britain to terminate, by returning to a sense of right and pur-
suing a course of Justice.
In resisting such endeavours and conciliating the disposition
of the Indians, your vigilance and exertions are expected : And
in case it should become necessary to extend indulgencies and
to make presents exceeding the usual allowance, your discretion
is confided in, to act as circumstances may require.
The Agents at the Several factories will receive instructions
on the Subject, from the Superintendent of Indian trade. Re-
spectfully,
[William Eustis]
Addressed: Gov Wm. Hull, Gen. Wm. Clark, Charles Jouett, Erastua
Granger, John Johnstonso, Nichs. Boilvin, J. B. Varnum, Ind. Agents.
79 The non-importation act, passed hy Congress March 2, 1811, after
a period in which the embargo had been temporarily suspended. — Ed.
80 As governor of Michigan Territory, William Hull was ipso facto
Indian agent.
Gen. William Clark at St. Louis had been since 1807 Indian agent
for Louisiana, which embraced all of the purchase, except that after-
wards erected into the state of Louisiana.
[ 339 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1811: WISCONSIN CARGO CLEARED
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
60B38.]
District of Michilimackinac
Port of Michflimackinac
These are to certify that Lewis Grignon Commander of a
Barge bound to Green Bay and having on board the following
Cargo, Viz. Five Barrel Sundries, two Cases Merchandize,
two bales merchandize, two kegs Pork & Gum, Four Pots, One
keg powder, three bags Corn, together with the necessary Sea
Stores for the Voyage, Hath here entered and cleared his said
barge as the law directs
Given under my hand and Seal of office this 18th day July
A. D. 1811.
[Seal] Samuel Abbott81
Collector
Charles Jouett was of Virginia birth (1772). In 1802 he was chosen
Indian agent at Detroit, and three years later was removed to Chicago.
In 1811 he resigned his agency and settled in Kentucky, whence in
1815 he was again summoned to occupy the Chicago agency. After
his resignation from this office he was a judge (1819-20) in Arkansas
Territory, and in 1834 died at Lexington, Ky.
Erastus Granger was brother of Gideon, postmaster-general in Jef-
ferson's cabinet. Erastus was agent for the Six Nations, with head-
quarters at Buffalo, where he died in 1823.
John Johnston (1775-1861) was Indian agent at Fort Wayne untU
1812, when he removed to Upper Piqua, where he kept his agency
until 1829.— Ed.
*iFor Abbott see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 512, note 46. — Ed.
[ 340]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1811: TRADERS PURCHASE FROM FACTOR
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1A158.]
Messrs. Porlier & Bartlet \Berthelof] to the U. 8. Factory Mk
i i Dr.
2 Pieces stroud
35.00
70.00
15} yards Crimson Molton
75
11.62*
18 Pairs Blankets 3* Point
9.00
162.00
20 do do 3 do
8.00
160.00
12 do do 2i do
6.30
75.00
3 do do 2 do
4.00
12.00
19 do do 1} do
3.00
57.00
6 Calico Shirts
2.00
12.00
1 Doz: Papercase Looking
Glasses
1.50
4 do Scalping Knives
2.00
8.00
4 Padlocks
62}
2.50
1 Gross Gartering
3.50
2} Pounds Worstead
2.50
5.62*
30$ do Vermillion
2.25
69.19
4 do Cotton wick
1.00
4.00
800 Gun flints
1.00
8.00
6 small axes
75
4.50
6 Hoes
75
4.50
75 Pounds Powder
1.00
75.00
10 Pairs Blankets 3} Pt.
90.00
10 do do H "
30.00
5 do do 2 "
10.00
6 Hoes
4.50
891.04
Rec? Wm. Howards Draft
for
612.76
Gold
234. 24*
Paper
40.00
Silver
4.05|
$891.04
J. B. Vaknum
IT. S. Factor.
Endorsed: Invoice of August 14, 1811, with leceipt.
[341]
ft* ■
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1811: AVOIDANCE OF EMBARGO
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 456, p. 194.]
St. Josephs 25th Augt. 1811.
My Dear Father — Tho I have not any of your favors be-
fore me to answer yet cannot let this opportunity slip without
letting you know that we are all well. The constant arrival of
Canoes for some' days past from Michilimakinac and Boats
from Montreal via the Lakes has kept the place alive The
non-importation act will effect the S. W. Furr Company much
for their Goods must remain here this winter unsold. Messrs
Gillispie, Pothier, Berthelet and many others are expected in
tomorrow they are to remain some time in hopes that the Act
will be repealed. Mr. Robert Dickson intends going to Queens-
ton via York from Queenston to Buff aloe from B. to Fort Pitt
down the Ohio to the Mississippi then up the last mentioned
river to the head thereof amongst the Siouxs. Johnney has
made his agreements w\ Mr Lewis Crawford82 and is to win-
ter at Lake de Flambeaux, Superior, he only gets £50 Hf. (tho
little) its better than to be Idle. Madelaine, John & the chil-
dren join me best wishes for your & my Dear Mothers Health &
Happiness & our Love to My Brothers & Sisters & am My
Dear Father Your dutiful Son
Jno Askln- Jr.
Have the goodness to tell my Dr mother that I have not for-
got her about the BufTaloe Skin
John Askin Esquire Strabane
82 Lewis Crawford was a member of the North West Company. In
1812 he headed a body of Canadian volunteers engaged in the capture
of Mackinac. In 1814 he was on the island when the Americans
landed, and aided in their repulse. His services having been com-
mended by the British authorities, he was in 1816 recommended for
a magistracy, but by that time had left the country. He was a
brother of Redford Crawford, who, as related ante, p. 325, killed John
Campbell in a duel. — Ed.
[ 342]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
1812: FUR-TRADE ENGAGEMENT
(MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
56B30. Translated from the French.]
Before the undersigned Notaries residing in the town of Mon-
treal,83 in the Province of Lower Canada appeared [Charles 8*.
Antoine dit Vacher of Maskinonge] who voluntarily is en-
gaged and by these presents engages himself to the Company of
Michilimackinac, [T. Pothier Montreal agent] here present
and accepting, to depart at their first requisition in the capacity
of middleman in one of their Canoes or Batteaux, in order to
make the voyage in ascending and also to winter [three] years
in the dependences of St. Joseph Island, Michilimakinac,
Mississippi and Missouri [and to descend after the said three
years]. Also to take good and due Care on the route and
while at the said place of the Merchandise, Provisions, Pel-
tries, Utensils and all things necessary for the voyage ; to serve,
obey, and faithfully execute all that the said Sieurs ids Bour-
geois or all others representing them to whom they may trans-
fer the present engagement, shall lawfully and honestly order
him to do; without trading on his own account, nor absenting
himself from nor leaving the said service, under the penalties
imposed by the Ordinances, and the loss of his wages. This
engagement thus made, for and in consideration of the sum of
[twelve Hundred] livres or shillings ancient currency of this
province, that they promise and oblige themselves to release
and pay to the said [Engage] one month after his return to
this town; and at the beginning to furnish him one 3 poir-t
Blanket, 3 ells of cotton, one pair of shoes and one collar, and
to pay in advance [forty eight livres and he shall also receive
on his Departure twenty four livres currency. Joseph St An-
toine de Yacher his uncle of the said town of Maskinonge enter*
into Bond for the said Engage]. He agrees to contribute one
83 The following engagement is printed in French, with blanks for
filling in; the words within the brackets are written. This is a
typical engagement contract for Canadian voyageurs — one of the forms
used for many years with but slight variation. — Ed.
[ 343 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
percent of his wages for the fund for voyageurs ; the said bour-
geois will be bound to feed the said engage in such places as
he may be during the present engagement, only with Indian
corn or such other food as there is ordinarily to be found among
the savages. For thus &c. promising &c. obliging &c. renounc-
ing &c. Done and passed at the said Montreal in the Notary's
Office in the year one thousand eight hundred and [Twelve]
the [fourteenth of March] at noon ; and they have signed with
the exception of the said engage who, having declared on being
asked that he does not know how, made his asual mark after
having had read to him [what is in the draft of these presents]
Ls. Chaboillez
Endorsed: Engagement of Charles St. Antoine dit Vacher 1200iv&
for three years.
1812-13: WISCONSIN TRADE AGREEMENTS
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1B51. Translated from the-
French.]
St. Joseph July 4, 1812.
Robert Dickson Esquire
As I see that it is impossible to terminate our business be-
cause of the sale of Peltries and other critical circumstances, I
am obliged to yield to you my part of all Peltries, merchandise,
Debts belonging to us under the following conditions, namely
1st that you will exonerate me from my proportion of the debt
owed by us to the S. W. Company by Mrs. Pothier. 2nd that
you will pay me in the month of May next the sum of two-
thousand four hundred livres ancient Quebec currency. 3d that
you will discharge my individual account in the books, includ-
ing the charges that have been made and shall be made in the
following accounts against me, namely S. W. Company at
Prairie du Chien for Mr Oliva, Nichs Jarrot,84 IV. Boutheiller,.
84 Nicolas Jarrot was a native of France, Avhence he emigrated to
America during the early part of the Revolution. Landing at Balti-
more he visited various parts of the United States, finally settling in
1794 at Cahokia. There he emharked in the fur-trade on the upper
[ 344]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
M. Brisbois & IA Grignon,85 as well as assuring me that you
will remit the money due to Nich8 Jarrot, either in merchan-
dize or otherwise according to his bargain with us, as I have
given him my note, also to retire my notes at Michillimakinac
in the hands of Jas. Reid and Michael Dousman,86 as they appear
on our books, also to liquidate all small Accounts that I may
have made on our Account that have escaped my memory, also
to give me the Barge or boat on which I came to Makinac.
Moreover I obligate myself to arrange the accounts of the men
at your demand. I am your obedient Servant
Jos. Rolette
St Joseph July 6, 1812. I accept the above Conditions.
R. Dickson & Co.
[Source, same as preceding document, but 2A21.]
Franks and Co. Dr. To Alexis Reaume.87
To account Render [ed] 83
To Mr. John Law accot' 130
To Mr. T: Anderson 50
263
Credit— By 190 musrat in Full of all demand To This day July 10th 1813
Alexis Rbaume
Endorsed: Paid A. Reyaume 203 10th July 1813.
Mississippi, and had large dealings at Prairie du Chien, where Pike
found him in 1806. During the War of 1812-15, Jarrot was pro-
American and aided Boilvin in rallying the inhabitants for the United
States; see Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, pp. 290, 295. He made his home in
Cahokia, where he had a fine house and was magistrate for St. Clair
County. He died there in 1823, leaving a large fortune. — Ed.
85 For Francois Bouthillier see ante, p. 104, note 41. Lieutenant
Grignon is Louis Grignon. — Ed.
Michael Dousman is sketched in Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 506,
note 42. — Ed.
87 Alexis Reaume may have been a nephew of Judge Charles
Reaume of Green Bay. He carried on business between Detroit and
Mackinac, and is said to have been the first to arrive at the latter
place in 1815, with news of the peace. — Ed.
[ 345]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
[Source, same as preceding document, but 2B6.]
Sandwich 18 Augt 1813.
Dear Sir — Mr. Franks arrived here two days ago & is in
good health, the Bearer of this is Thomas88 who has conducted
himself with the greatest propriety.
You will please cloathe his Wife & Children & I will return
you the goods this Fall — it is also Mr. Frank's wish that you
should do so. I will write you more fully. Yours sincerely
R. Dickson
N. B. Mr Franks tell you to give [Thomas some] Flour.
J. Franks
Addressed: Mr. John Lawe, La Baye
1813: AMERICAN FUR COMPANY ON THE GREAT LAKES
[Transcripts in Burton Library, Detroit. Letter Book of Ramsay
Crooks.]
Buffalo 21st. October, 1813.
John Jacob Astor,
After a very dissagreeable ride I reached this place the night
before last in good health, since when I have made every en-
quiry respecting the prosecution of my journey and find I
must either go on horseback by way of Presque Isle or on board
the Schooner "Chippewa" that was stranded a little below this
place a few days ago. By land it will be a trip of ten or
twelve days and an expense of about $100— while by water the
charges will be comparatively trifling — but the very advanced
state of the season and the uncertainty of the Vessels being
soon repaired & got off are great objections to trusting this
mode of conveyance however I shall see both the Schooner and
Captain to-morrow & if convinced that she will sail in a few
days I shall engage my passage in her. Since the evacuation
This was Tomah, the Menominee chief, for whom see Wis. Hist.
Colls., i, pp. 53-58; iii, pp. 269-283 ; xviii, p. 446, note 65. Tomah was
then returning from the sieges of Forts Meigs and Stephenson. — Ed.
[346]
Ramsay Crooks
Prom oil portrait by B. Saintain, in possession of
Wisconsin Historical Society
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
of Maiden89 many of those who fled from Detroit during the
reign of Terror have returned, and among the others a Mr.
Ten Eyck90 who I understand has about ninety Packs of Skins
he had concealed previous to the trouble — he left this village
sometime ago but wheather with the intention of bringing his
property here immediately it is impossible to ascertain. T
shall endeavor to meet him somewhere. A Mr. William Baird
of this place will act as our agent here, he is industrious and
attentive and is allowed to be a man of the strictest integrity.
You will consequently address any Communication you may
make me to his care — to-morrow will determine when and in
what manner I shall leave Buffalo with which you shall be
made acquainted by next mail. I am &c
[Kamsay Ckooks]91
89 Maiden was evacuated by General Proctor Sept. 27, 1813, on the
approach of General Harrison. Although Proctor and his van had
left some days previous, the rear-guard had only departed an hour
before the victorious Americans entered the town, where the burned
remains of Port Maiden and its several storehouses were yet smolder-
ing.— Ed.
90 Conrad Ten Eyck was a native of Albany, where he was born in
1782. When nineteen years of age he came to Detroit and engaged in
mercantile business, having for a partner his brother Jeremiah.
Their establishment was destroyed by the fire of 1805, but they began
anew only to be banished from the place in 1812 by Proctor. After
his return, Ten Eyck became a prominent citizen; he was treasurer of
Wayne County (1816-25), trustee of the village (1818), and member
of the militia (1836-38). Being an active Democrat, he was appointed
federal marshal by Van Buren. Having purchased a large farm west
of the city he removed thereto, and kept a tavern, which became well
known to west-bound emigrants. There he died in 1847. — Ed.
91 Ramsay Crooks was a native (1787) of Greenock, Scotland. Sev-
eral members of his family migrated in 1792 to America and settled
on the Canadian side of Niagara River. Thence young Crooks, at the
age of sixteen, came West with Robert Dickson and was in Wisconsin
as early as 1806. The next year he left the North West Company,
and at St. Louis formed a partnership with one of Wayne's veterans,
Robert McClellan, for a fur-trading expedition up the Missouri. This,
however, was frustrated by the hostility of the Teton Sioux. In 1811
Crooks joined the Pacific Fur Company, and was one of the over-
[ 347]
4
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
New York 1 Nov. 1813.
Dear Sir — I have just now your letter of 21 Oct. and ana
glad to see you have got so far. I hope you will get the skins
of teneyck as well as all others particularly Kaccoon, Beaver,
Martin and Mink which are all much wanted here, if you are
obliged to give a little more than the price stated never mind it.
I request you again give no information Whatsoever to any
person as to our Columbia River Buisness. the "Beaver" ar-
rived at Canton.
Yours J. J. A[stor]
P. S. Send some of the furrs as soon as you can that we
may have the best of the market
Buffalo 1st. Decern. 1813.
Dear Sir — On the 17th Ulto., I had the pleasure of enclos-
ing you a list of Indian Goods necessary for the trade of Michi-
limakinac. Since when your favor of the 15th Nov. has come
to hand.
Although the journey by land on this side of Lake Erie to
Detroit, has always been deemed a perilous undertaking, and
land Astorian expedition headed by Wilson Hunt. In that journey
Crooks endured almost incredible hardships, eventually reaching
Astoria May 12, 1812, and starting homeward the 28th of June fol-
lowing. The return journey was accomplished with nearly as great
difficulties as the outward, the party being attacked and robbed by
hostile Indians; after wintering on the upper waters of the Platte,
they reached St. Louis in April, 1813. There Crooks first heard of the
declaration of war between England and the United States. He at
once proceeded to New York, whence he was sent, as the accompany-
ing documents show, to aid Astor in his fur-trade along the Great
Lakes. Crooks remained in Astor's employ until, in 1817, he was
made a partner in the American Pur Company, and each year made a
visit to Mackinac and the upper country in the interests of that cor-
poration. In 1834, upon Astor's retirement, Crooks became its presi-
dent. He died at New York in 1859, leaving a reputation for busi-
ness integrity. He was interested in the founding of the Wisconsin
Historical Society, and presented his portrait to its museum; see
article thereon in Wis. Hist. Colls., iv, pp. 95-102. — Ed.
[ 348 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
is at this moment peculiarly so, from the removal of the few
scattering inhabitants, as a space of nearly Two Hundred miles
(in which there are several unfordable streams) has thereby
been left destitute of even one solitary Cabin to shelter the
Traveler or furnish a bite of fodder for his famished Horse.
Yet these difficulties I would not have considered insurmount-
able had the object in view required incountering them, and
warranted my incurring the expense incident to such an enter-
prize.
No person has gone from hence to Detroit since my arrival,
and as the British are said to have abandoned Burlington
Heights, look on my departure as at hand, and all hope to see
Mr. Ten Eyck in all this month.
According to your request, I have relinquished all idea of
going to St. Louis, and to insure my being early at Mackinac
and St. Joseph, I purpose going in the Fleet which transport?
the Troops destined for the reduction of those places, and shall
exert myself to the utmost in bringing to a happy termination
every part of the business with which you have intrusted me.
I am sorry to hear of the difficulties in obtaining Goods as
it is far from certain that Montreal will be in possession of our .
armies this winter, but as I said in my last, I think enough to-
answer the present exigence may be got in New York and
Philadelphia.
If the success of your application to import, depends in the
least on the Indians Supplicating the Government for supplies,
I must acknowledge my apprehentions of the result for unfor-
tunately these savages entertain ideas bordering on Conviction
that their Father is like any other Trader who will find it his
interest to furnish them with Merchandize as heretofore by the
factories. An illusion which will never loose the force of a
reality, until the United States totally abandon that species of
monopoly, and I trust that before long the gentlemen who vote
appropriations to carry on a traffic of no real benefit to our
tawny neighbors, and bemeaning to the Government, will di.=?-
<;over how fallacious were their expectations when by such Es-
tablishments they promised themselves the Philanthropic satis-
[ 349 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
faction of Meliorating the condition of the Indians and attach-
ing them unalterably to the United States. Since it is a fact
notorious to all the world that those very Tribes who experi-
enced in the greatest degree this fostering care of the Execu-
tive were the first to raise the Tomahawk against the American
Settlements, in short as the Officer who concluded the late-
Armistice with the Hostile nations at Detroit, assured them
that on applying at Fort Wayne Ammunition &c. would be
issued according to their wants.92 I see no reason why they
should be when their necessities are thus gratuitously relieved
without intercession. I shall be glad of the letter to Gen1. Cass
and if another can be obtained for Captain Elliot of the Navy,9*
I am confident they will be of great use to Dear Sir Your
most ob servt
Ramsay Crooks
John Jacob Astor Esq. New York
1814: RUMOR OF PEACE
" [MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,.
2B47. Translated from the French.]
Michilimackinac the 29 March, 1814
Mr. Louis Grignon
My dear Friend — I welcome the reception of your letter
dated the 1st instant, which came to me the 25th, the courier
92 Before General Harrison left Sandwich, in pursuit of Proctor's
troops, he was sought by chiefs of the Chippewa and the Ottawa, who
asked for peace. He referred them to Gen. Duncan McArthur, left in
command at Detroit, who concluded a temporary armistice. This was
on his return, renewed by Harrison, who wrote to the secretary of
war (letter in the Draper MSS., vol. 4X) that he was obliged to promise
the hostile tribes occasional supplies of provisions in order to pre-
vent their preying upon the inhabitants and thereby inciting fresh
hostilities. — Ed.
»3 Gen. Lewis Cass was appointed by Harrison as civil and military-
governor of Michigan Territory, and left in charge at Detroit. Lieut-
[ 350]
1778-18151 Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
was delayed to await the mail from York which arrived here
day before yesterday, and brought Favorable News.
It appears that we are to have a General peace, so that
America will be drawn into it. Bonaparte has lost already
150 thousand men, and according to the address which he made
to his ministers in France he admits that he is no longer Capable
of Sustaining the War, that he has too much misfortune, and
Mr. Madison seeing Bonaparte falter and tremble in his boots
has regret for having declared War and has Cut it short as you
will see by the Gazettes sent by Mr. Dickson.
I received a letter from Mr. Forrest dated 27 January that
gives me this information. There is no Merchandise at Mon-
treal for the Compy Mr. Pothier comes up merely to regulate
the formal business of the Co. He tells me that a Mr. Craw-
ford sends up a little merchandize that he bought for ready
money at Montreal, and which is very badly assorted, and prob-
ably that Mr. Rousseau94 will bring some up, and that he thinks
merchandise will sell here at 150 pr Cent.
It seems likewise that troops to the number of 300 men are
coming to this post with nine officers, a Major, and one Doctor
with 40 Boatloads of provisions.95 Mr. Crawford was at York
to see that all was in order for Spring.
He did not speak of the value of Peltries, it appears however
that it is not large, nevertheless, it is to be hoped that they will
become more valuable some future day.
Jesse D. Elliott (1785-1845) was second in command of Perry's fleet.
He rendered efficient service on the lakes, capturing two British ves-
sels (Oct. 8, 1812) and aiding in the assembling of the Lake Erie
fleet. After the victory of 1813 Congress voted him a gold medal, and
assigned him to the command of an ocean sloop-of-war. — Ed.
»* Jean Baptiste Rousseau was in the Indian department at St.
Josephs as early as 1808. He was probably the father of Jean Bap-
tiste and Charles Rousseau, employees of Hudson's Bay Company, who
removed from Drummond Island and settled at Penetanguishene. — Ed.
This reinforcement was under the command of Lieut-Col. Robert
McDouall. For the orders of Sir George Prevost in relation to this
re-inforcement, see Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xxv, pp. 573, 575, 578,
[351]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol xix
If you have any provisions I advise you as a friend to trv and
sell them to Mr. Dickson always on the condition that he will
take them and that his money is good.
Not having anything more particular to communicate than
that I wish you all possible prosperity Believe that I am thy
sincere friend and Sen**
FBEDk OLIVA
If you come here this spring I shall have a House for you,
fanfan96 and Augustin. Keep well. I expect constantly to
obtain the canoe of merchandise that I sent to Montreal for.
Addressed: Lieut. Louis Grignon La Bay.
[Transcript in Burton Library, Detroit. LetteT Book of Ramsay
Crooks.]
Pittsburg 17th April 1814
Dear Sir— On the 10th. and IIth. Instant, I had the pleas-
ure of addressing you. and have now to reply to your favors of
the 5th. and 9th. of this month recently come to hand.
It affords me real satisfaction to learn that our industry and
enterprise are no longer to be cramped and that goods will next
spring be procured for the Indian trade
The memorandum I formerly sent you, I shall reexamine;
for as it was submitted under the impression of its being in-
tended only as a temporary supply to be extracted from sources
by no means abundant: I think it may be somewhat imper
feet, so I shall revise and transmit it in a short time should my
alterations be found necessary.
In the event of Peace or the conquest of the upper Country
putting us in possession of the trade of Mackinac, we will for
at least the first year, be compelled to content ourselves with
the boatmen already engaged in the trade and what few can b*»
583. McDouall arrived at Mackinac May 18th, after nineteen days on
Lake Huron. — Ed.
»« Fanfan was the nickname for Pierre Antoine Grignon. See Wis.
Hist. Colls., vii, p. 242 — Ed.
[ 352 ]
1778-1815]
Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
had in the Detroit Strait to carry on the business East of the
Mississippi, and on that River above the Prairie du Chien:
and for that portion comprising the Saaks, the Winnebagoes of
Rock River and the Missouri Tribes, I am almost certain a
sufficient number are to be found in and about St. Louis.
Your obtaining a vessel to proceed to Mackinac on the pro-
mulgation of the Armistice will be an object of primary im-
portance, for even should the Commanding Officer of that
Post, now allow your property to be transported to the United
States, it can hardly be supposed he will prevent its being sent
to Montreal, and without a vessel specially appointed for the
service. I am apprehensive no opportunity of visiting Michili-
mackinac will offer, untill the season is so far advanced as to
render the completion of your business fin time) very uncer-
tain. Besides if the Vessell is not permitted to return with a
Cargo, she will be usefull in conveying from Detroit whatever
Furs may be obtained in that quarter.
As you last fall confided to me the transacting of all your
private affairs at Mackinac, I am a good deal surprised to find
you intend sending out a special agent for that purpose. Be-
lieve me had I ever thought the addition of your business could
have made the undertaking so very complex and of such magni-
tude as not to be completely within the powers of even my cir-
cumscribed abilities, I would without hesitation or reluctiance
have declined the proffered honor, but confident as I am of no*
having undertaken more than I can execute I must feel agrieved
in the step you are about to take until I am convinced your con-
cerns are far more extensive and intricated than I apprehended
them to be, or that my incompetency is demonstrated beyond all
possibility of doubt.
The offer came spontaneously of yourself and I cannot con-
sider it fair, thus to withdraw your confidence in so important
a branch of the enterprise without assigning the most cogent
reasons for so doing.
If you do send an agent, I suppose he will bring the order for
the vessell so it will be best for him to come to Erie, where the
requisition must necessarily be presented to the Commadore.
23 [ 353 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
I feel particularly greatful for your permission to draw for
the amount I owe Mr. Philipson but shall not avail myself of
it unless I am ultametly obliged to visit St. Louis
Without loss of time I shall proceed to the Lake, where, if I
find not any immediate conveyance, I will wait a few days in
hopes trusting the order for the vessell will there overtake me,
and in expectation of hearing from you very soon, I remain
Dear Sir Respectfully Your most ob. Servant.
Rams7 Crooks
P. S. Continue to address my letters to the Care of Mr.
Wilt
[MS. in Library of Congress. McArthur Papers. An order signed by-
George Prevost.]
All Officers or others commanding or employ'd in His Maj-
estys Troops Vessels or boats or in the Indian Department on
the shores or in the Waters of Lake Erie or of Lake Huron are
hereby enjoined and directed to allow the Vessel bearing the
Flag of Truce and proceeding upon the Voyage and for the ac-
count within mention'd and on board of which this passport
shall be found to pass free from all molestation and annoyance
to Isle du bois blanc in the Vicinity of Michilimackinac in
Lake Huron where she is to come to Anchor and be immediately
reported to the commanding Officer of that Post she will after-
wards receive on board from such place as the said command-
ing Officer shall appoint the skins and furs within mention'd
of which Mr Touissant Pothier the Agent of the within named
John Jacob Astor at Michimackinac or the Agent of Messrs Mc-
Tavish McGilivray and Compy or Forsyth Richardson and
Compy at that place shall furnish a correct list under his signa-
ture to the said commanding Officer a copy of which list is to be
given to the Officer having the charge of said flag of Truce and
with which cargo the said flag of Truce is to be permitted to
pass unmolested from Lake Huron to Black rock or Buffalo as
[ 354]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
shall be designated by the Passport to be furnished for that pur-
pose by the Officer commanding at Michilimackinac97
Head Quarters Montreal 9 June 1814
George Prevost98
Comr of the Forces
By his Excellencys Command
Noah Freer,
MiFy Secretary.
1814: NORTH WEST COMPANY EQUIP GREEN BAY TRADER
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
2B61. Translated from the French.]
Sault Ste Marie 14 July 1814
My dear Sir — An opportunity offering for La Baie at the
moment of my arrival at MichilimM wrote you a few hasty
lines sending you at the same time by Mr. Ducharme the family
letters entrusted to me with two small packages
Having finished my business at Michilima. I came here to
do likewise after which I propose to continue my route to Mon-
treal.
Mr. Barthelot offered me your Peltries which I bought. T
97 in the spring of 1814 Astor went to Washington, where he ob-
tained permission for a private vessel to proceed to Mackinac to bring
away the goods of the South West Company that were there stored,
which were in part the property of British subjects. He then sent
his brother, George Astor, to Montreal, to obtain a permit from the
British authorities, of which this document shows the result. After
Ramsay Crooks reached Detroit on his return from the unsuccessful
voyage to Mackinac with the American fleet, he found that George
Astor had arrived with the schooner "Union," on which they proceeded
to Mackinac, and brought away the company's furs. — Ed.
98 Sir George Prevost (1767-1816) was the son of a Swiss officer in
the British army. He himself early adopted the profession of arms,
and won distinction in the West Indies, whereupon he was in 1805
created baronet. As lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia (1808-11),
he served acceptably, and was promoted to the chief command in
Canada, in which post he served throughout the war. — Ed.
[ 355 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
hope you will believe that I gave you the highest price consist-
ant with the present situation, therefore I am persuaded you
will be satisfied therewith.
I believe that the expedition that you have Joined for the
Prairie" will succeed without the necessity of fighting, it
seems to me that the number of Savages ought to be sufficient to
Chase the enemy or at least divide them and make them yield.
The determination that you have taken regarding Merchan-
dise was prudent, but at the same time I should like to discusa
the outlook for the future with you. The general Peace in
Europe will change the entire face of affairs in this Country
and from my point of view Commerce will have advantage
therefrom for some time.
As soon as there is the least Security against Enemies in
this Countrey it is the intention of the Houses of McTavish &
Co. & of Eorsyth & Co. to unite to Equip at McKinac such per-
sons as deserve their confidence, you may be assured that I shall
interest myself upon your behalf.
I believe that you were informed last year that I propose to
discontinue Commerce in this Country; although I am still of
that purpose I hope that I shall have the satisfaction of news
from you, and believe that I am very glad to be of use to you
and continue your friendship. I remain with sentiments of
sincere attachment Your friend & Servant
T. Pothiee.
Jacques Porlier Esquire
Endorsed by Porlier: Letter of Tst Pothier Esq. announcing the 2
Houses of the N West for equipment after the peace 1814.
99 Referring to the expedition headed by Capt. William McKay for
the capture of the American fort at Prairie du Chien. Porlier did
not go in person, but his son Joseph Jacques was a lieutenant in this
campaign. See Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, xi, xii, passim. — Ed.
[ 356 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
[Source, same as preceding document, but 2A83. Translated from
the French.]
Statement of Peltries of Mr. Jac Porlier Sold by the Under-
signed to Mons. Pothier
1814 July 4
838
Cats
50
2095
47
Otters
22
1034
77
Mink
50
192.10
5
red foxes
2
10
6
lynx [pichou]
2
12
29
bear cubs
5
145
18
bear skins
24
432
5
15
75
1670
muskrats
30
2505
104*
Liv. Beaver
20
2092
29
fishers
6
174
123
martens
4
492
2
lynx [loup cervier]
3
6
1
virgin fox
2
2
74
Deer Skins
5
Livres
370
9634
66
Little muskrats unsold
Berthelot
findorsed [MS. marred] with a sale of peltries on the back, July 11,
1814.
1814: AMERICAN EXPEDITION ON LAKE HURON
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1C11.]
Lake Huron 7 Agust 1814
My dear John — I arrived near the Entrance of Lake huron
on the fourth of this month on my way to Mackinac where I
was in great hopes of meeting with all my friends once more.
But found an Express arrived there from the Sault Ste maries
warning all the Canoes not to proceed [to Mac] kinac as the
expedition of the Americans [MS. torn] communication with
the Hand but to proceed to [MS. torn]. I came withe Mr
[ 357 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Lamothe1 in one of his light Canoes two days march in lake
huron to try if we could get further Information hut getting
none we thought proper to return I Shall wait in the french
river 4 or 5 days & then Shall proceed to Machedach & try &
dispose of my goods at yorck. I should have made a good profit
on them if I had got Safe to Mackinac as I have an excellent
asortment a mounting to 1327lb H. Cr. I shall be obliged
to make a Sacrifice of them at york but what can I do what
greaves me the most is that I am prevented from Seeing you
& my other friends Mr Aird & anderson & all those that I have
ben so many years living in friendship with in that country. I
Shall remain at york till late in the fall in hopes of being able
to get in to Mackinac with my old friends if it does not fall
and if in case that it unfortunately Should fall in the ameri-
cans hands I shall be obliged much against my will to go Back
to montreall.
This canoe that I am bringing up is in company with Mr
P. I. Lacroix2 but I intended to dispose of his half to Mr Aird
& Anderson which would have answered them very well & the
other half would have served for the retail at Mackinac or la
Bay as you would have thought proper. I had allso made a
purchase [MS. torn] that is allready at Mackinac [MS. torn]
hands belonging to a Mr [MS. torn] which I Should have made
out verry well with & I think I Should have mad Verry hand-
some profits this year if I could have got in to Mackinac & at
the Same time bin of Some Service to my friends. I was not
liable for that Canoe loade untill I receaved the goods & have
a letter to Mr Askin mentiong the business but as I cannot get
in to Mackinac of course I cannot receive the goods, when I
met Mr Pothier he told me he had 500 or 700 £ in his hands
he did not recollect which & he told me that you or me Could
draw on him for that amount but not for more now as you
have had the Settlement of all this Business I shall not draw on
iA distant relative of the person noted in Id., xviii, p. 442; prob-
ably Joseph Maurice Lamotte, a well-known Montreal merchant. — Ed.
2 Pierre Ignace Lacroix, of a Montreal family related to the Porliers
and Malhiots. — Ed.
[ 358]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
him for one Farthing but shall leave it all to you. I owe to Mr
G. Plot of montrcal 200 £ H. Cr. which he was good Enough to
lend me to enable me to get this half Canoe of goods & which I
never would have bin able to have procured without his gener-
ous assistance. Therefore I must beg of you to draw on Mr
Pothey in my Favor for that amout so that I may be able to
return him his money by the Is of October which I Fairly prom-
ised him & you will allso draw on Mr Pothey for the remainder
of the money that you have deposited in his hands in my
Favor [MS. torn] to live in Montreal [MS. torn] John I
shall not make any Bad [MS. torn] you may See by my not
owing more than 260 £ [MS. torn] half canoe Load I was
bringing you I hope you have paid Mr Crofford & dupuy I
had not time to Informe myself of Mr Pothey as I onely Saw
him but a few minutes in passing If Anderson Insists in get-
ting his money you will draw on Mr Pothey for it Mr Forrest
will let you know the amount as it was to him I paid the differ-
ent moneys for Anderson I beleve it is a little Better than
one hundred pounds that is coming to him But Anderson
would oblige me much if he would leave it with me for I Shall
be in much want if I am obliged to return to Montreal I
Should bring him up goods for it next year if we can get to
mackinac O I am in a most wretched & deplorable Sittuation
at Present in not being able to get to you at Mackinac I will
remain at York & machedach till the last Season & if an oppor-
tunity Should offer I will certainly Try & get to you. I can-
not Bear the Idea of being so long a time from you & my
other friends I did not pass a pleasant winter, far from it in
montreal. I beg my Dear John you will assist me as much
as you possibly can as I shall be in great distress you can [MS.
torn] favor of me for your pay that [MS. torn] in want of it
yourself. [MS. torn] for you a number of small articles [MS.
torn] have pleased you much I got 30 £ for your share of the
prise money at Mackinac
Do not fail to write me by the first opportunity to york or
Machedash or if an opportunity offer very soon for the French
River as I Shall remain there Some time in hopes of getting
[ 359 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
news from Mackinac & if good news I shall risk all for all &
try & get in to Mackinac
Do not forget to send me a draft on Mr Pothey for all the
money that you have left in his hands as I have that Debt to
pay to Mr Plot which I would not fail of doing on any a/c & I
assure you I Shall be much in want for my Self Adeu my
Dear John & belive me your Affectionate unckle
J. Franks
O how I regret my not being able to get to you affter a long
Tedious voiage of 31 Day & every day rain exceting 4 Days
Remember me kindly to Mr Dickson, Mr Aird & Anderson
[Source, same as preceding document, but 2A101.]
Michilimackinac 22 Augt. 1814.
MessTS. Aird & Lawe Bowgkt of Jacob Franks.
One Canoe-load of merchandize marked F. L. now in La
Rondes Bay — they incurring all Risks of damage, charges &c.
in bringing them here — reserving the canoe 1 kettle, 1 Sail, 1
axe, 1 oil cloth and one Towing Line for £1500.
H. Curry £1500.
N". B. Should the Property fall into the hands of the Amer-
icans before its arrival at this place, then Messrs. Aird & Lawe
are only to pay the original amount of the Montreal Invoice
of these Goods.
J. Franks.
Received Michilimackinac 5th Oct of Messrs Aird & Lawe
the above amount in full
J. Franks.
Endorsed: Aird & Lawe £1500 Makana 22a Augt. 1814.
[Transcript in Burton Library, Detroit. Letter Book of Ramsay
Crooks.]
Detroit 21st. Augt. 181*.
Dear Sir — Having but a few moments notice to repair on
board, on the 3rd. of July, T was constrained barely to advise
[ 360]
1778 isi5] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
you of my drawing on you that day for Two Hundred Dollars
in favor of Mr. Ten Eyck, at ten days sight which by the an-
nexed statement of my finances, you will perceive was an act of
absolute necessity.
On entering Lake Huron we shaped our course for Mache-
dash, but this part of the navigation being imperfectly known,
the Commodore was after sometime spent in fruitless search of
the Bay induced to steer for St. Josephs, there the Schooner
Mink, belonging to the North West Company laden with Two
Hundred and thirty Barrels of Flour for St. Mary's was cap-
tured and the Fort and Store Houses redused to ashes.
A Company of Regulars and some Sailors were next dis-
patched to St. Mary's where the company's Store houses were
burned, there fine Schooner Perservance destroyed and a quan-
tity of dry goods sugar and spirits said to belong to a Mr. John-
son3 taken and brought to the fleet.
3 The raid against Sault Ste. Marie was headed by Maj. Arthur H.
Holmes, who fell at the attack on Mackinac a few days later. The
attack on the North West Company was in retaliation for the activity
of its agents in arming and conducting its voyageurs against the
American posts, and in inciting the Indians against the frontiers.
John Johnston was born in 1763 at Craignear, Giant's Gauseway,
Ireland. Coming to America in 1792 he at once entered the fur-trade,
and was stationed at La Pointe du Chequamegon, where he took to
wife me daughter of a prominent Chippewa chief. In 1794 Johnston
established himself at Sault Ste. Marie on the southwest (American)
side. There he had a large domestic establishment, a fine library for
those days, and such of the products of civilization as might be ob-
tained in that then far frontier post. His children were interesting
and well-educated; one of the daughters married Henry Rowe School-
craft, another an English clergyman. Johnston had held an American
commission as justice of the peace, and collector of the port. In the
War of 1812-15, however, he sympathized with the British and was
regarded by the Americans as a renegade. One son was in the Brit-
ish fleet, l^eing wounded in the battle of Lake Erie. Johnston himself
had gone at the head of a party of his own employes, to the num-
ber of 100, to the defense of Mackinac. In his absence his property
was burned and his goods confiscated. After this raid he rebuilt his
dwelling, and lived there until his death in 1828. He hospitably re-
[ 361 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Off Mackinac we lay a considerable time and only saw a few
Indians to skirmish with occasionaly, till in the afternoon of
the 4th Instant the troops were landed on the west side of the
Island, and at some distance from the beach, were vigorously
attacked by Indians4 and others in ambush, aided by four pieces
of artillery planted on elevated spots — a charge made the enemy
fall back, but he soon returned to the work of death which
lasted until a number fell, when owing to the total impracta-
bility of penetrating to the Fort through the woods and finding
every position of any strength on the road in possession of the
British it was judged most advisable to return to the Vessels,
which was effected without, opposition, and all the well and
wounded were re-embarked before sunset.
Understanding early on the 6 th. that we were about to weigh
anchor, and supposing thereby the expedition abandoned, I
waited on the Commodore requesting permission to go ashore
and ascertain whether the commandant of Mackinac would
allow your property to be brought away, but was answered that
from information obtained the day previous there was no doubt
he would but as the future movements of the forces were not
determined on, it was thought improper to suffer any com-
munication with the Island. We soon after sailed again to St.
Joseph's, anchored one night, and then came down to an Island
about one hundred miles from Mackinac;5 where Commodore
Sinclair6 delivered me a letter from Mr. Forrest agent for the
ceived General Cass and his party in 1820, and the vigilance of Mrs.
Johnston averted a hostile attack upon them by the Indians. — Ed.
4 Toman (for whom see ante, p. 346, note 88) was on this occasion
the leader of the Indians. — Ed.
s One of the objects of the expedition, aside from the attempt to
recover Mackinac, was to secure the furs of the North West Com-
pany's flotilla, then coming from Fort William on Lake Superior.
In this, likewise, the expedition was a failure, for the flotilla, worth
over $1,000,000, managed to elude the Americans and enter French
River in safety. See "Franchere's Narrative," in Thwaites, Early
Western Travels, vi, pp. 393-397. — Ed.
o Capt. Arthur Sinclair, of the United States navy, entered as a mid-
[ 362 ]
1778 i8i5j Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
late South West Company (a copy of which is subjoined) tell-
ing me at same time that as the object of the enterprise could
not be attained with the force on board, I was at liberty to visit
Mackinac; and the Captain Dexter7 who was going to Erie
with the Lawrence, Caledonia, and Mink would grant the
necessary passports at Detroit.
Here I arrived four days ago, and am happy to inform you
that Mr. George Astor8 entered the river yesterday with a ves-
sel of about 90 tons, he chartered at Grand River 70 miles
above Erie. I have not yet seen him, neither has he wrote me,
but he certainly must be up the first fair wind.
I have your favor of 2nd. July from Washington and observe
what you say of Racoons and Muskrat.
The season is now pretty far advanced, but with moderate
luck we can get back from Mackinac before the weather be-
comes boisterous — to ensure which, you may rest satisfied not
a moment will be lost.
Eor the Vessel I should suppose he has the necessary papers
from the Naval Commandant on Lake Erie, but to make all
sure in the event of his not arriving before Captain Dexter
shipman in 1798. In 1807 he was commissioned lieutenant, and in
1812 master commandant. On the outbreak of war he was in com-
mand of the "Argus." After Perry's retirement he was given com-
mand of the fleet on the upper lakes, and took charge of the unsuc-
cessful expedition to Mackinac. In 1815 he was in command of the
"Congress," and served actively until his death in 1831. — Ed.
i Daniel S. Dexter was appointed midshipman in the United States
navy in 1800, lieutenant in 1807, and commander in 1814. He died in
1818.— Ed.
s George Peter Astor, the eldest brother of John Jacob Astor, was
born in 1752 at Waldorf, Germany. Early in life he went to London,
and became partner in the firm of Broadwood & Company, piano
makers. He came to America during the War of 1812-15, and had a
store on Water Street, New York, where he was engaged in the fur-
trade. He died in 1832. His name appears in the New York direc-
tories from 1816-32; and several real estate transfers are entered in
his name. For this information the Editor is indebted to Mr. Wilber-
force Eames of the Lenox branch, New York Public Library. — Ed.
[ 363 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
leaves this, I will go down till I meet him. I am Dear Sir
Your most ob Servant
Rams7 Crooks
John Jacob Astor Esq. New York
1814: BRITISH CONTROL MACKINAC
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,.
60B46.]
By Kobert McDouall Esqr Lieutenant Colonel of His Maj-
estys Glengarry Light Infantry and Commandant of the Post
of Michilimackinac and Dependencies, &c.9
Permission is hereby granted to Louis Beaupre10 to depart
from hence and winter at Green Bay and Dependencies with a
Barge containing the Packages as specified on the other side
and navigated by one Man they behaving as becometh
Given under my Hand and Seal at the Post of Michilimacki-
nac October 19th. 1814
Rt McDouall Lt. Col.
Commanding
[Seal]
Endorsed: Loading of the Barge: 3 Barrels Sugar 7 Bales Mer-
chandize, 2 Kegs Powder 4 Ditto Rum 3 Ditto Merchandize, 4 Bag&
Shot & Ball 3 Casettes Merchandize And the necessary Provisions &c~
9 For a brief sketch of Lieut.-Col. Robert McDouall of the British
army (1796-1848), see Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, p. 193— Ed.
10 Louis Beauprg was a well-known Green Bay fur-trader and habi-
tant. He is said to have been in the West as early as 1797, when he
wintered with John Lawe near Fond du Lac. In 1798, Beauprg began
a farm on the east side of Fox River, that which was in later years
known as "private claim No. 13:; " see Amer. State Papers, Public Lands,
iv, pp. 703, 858. In 1810-11 he .^tered on Lemonweir River, and
in January of 1814 was with DicKson at Lake Winnebago. He is said
to have assisted in 1814 at the defense of Mackinac. A person of his
name (possibly his son) was employed in 1831 at the shot-tower at
Helena. The elder Beaupre" is mentioned as a householder at Green
Bay in the census of 1836, and died there in the summer of 1838. — Ed.
[ 364],
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1C16.]
[Montreal, winter of 1814-15] U
Col. M°Douall is appointed Superintendent of all the Indians
to the westward & William McKay12 is appointed Superintend-
ant for Michilimackinac Mr Dickson will I believe be confined
to the Mississipy as Superintendant to the Indians their Wil-
liam McKay is I believe disposed to Serve me as much as lies in
his power he has lent me 300£ Yk C. [York currency]
through the hands of a nother person but do not mention thi3
as he does not wish it to be nown. You cannot conceive the
high price of Goods in montreal & I consider my Self verry
happy & Succesfull in procuring the assortment I have got
through the means of my friends here — goods will be verry
11 This document is undated; but its contents show that it must have
been written during the winter of 1814-15, probably late in the sea-
son.— Ed.
12 "William McKay was one of three brothers who entered the North
West Company, and traded in the upper country. His brother Alex-
ander was killed on the "Tonquin" near Astoria. Donald was known
as "Mad McKay," because of his impetuous temper. William began
trading in Wisconsin in 1793, on Menominee River; the following win-
ter he passed at Green Bay, and then entered the far Northwest,
wintering 1794-95 at Portage la Prairie. He was at the Grand Port-
age rendezvous in 1797 and 1798, and the next year was stationed on
Lake Winnepeg. In 1804 he was a wintering partner of the North
West Company. When the War of 1812-15 broke out, he joined the
volunteers, and in 1813 was made major of the Michigan Fencibles.
In 1814 he was selected to command the expedition to capture the
American fort at Prairie du Chien — see Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, xi, xii,
index. His regiment was disbanded at Mackinac in the summer of
1815, he receiving the appointment of Indian superintendent, first at
Mackinac, later at Drummond Island. Thereafter McKay made his
home at Montreal, coming up for the autumn months to transact busi-
ness with the Indians. He married in Montreal a daughter of Judge
Davidson, and his son Robert became a judge. William McKay con-
tinued his official duties until the removal of the post from Drum-
mond Island in 1828. He died in 1832 of cholera, at Montreal. He
was a tall, strong man, severe with his inferiors and the Indians, but
possessed of ability and integrity. — Ed.
[ 365 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
high at Mackinac as they cost so very high here but they will
not be so Scarce as last year as Michell la Croix13 is going up
with 6 Canoe loads Mr Koch Blave14 with 8 & Bailley15 with 2
Boat loads by the way I am going Mr Derivier is sending Mr
Barthelotte his goods by the grand River I hope I shall be
13 Michel Lacroix was a Canadian of good education, who early in
the nineteenth century, settled at Peoria. There he built a good
house, and took for his wife Catharine Dubuque, a cousin of the
famous Julien. In 1812, Lacroix went to Canada with a convoy
of furs. During his absence war began, and in the raid of Captain
Craig his house at Peoria was burned, and his family carried off to
Cahokia. He thereupon joined the British army, and served as an
officer. At the close of the war he returned with goods for trading,
found his family, and settled with them at Cahokia. After Lacroix's
death in 1821, his widow married Gov. John Reynolds of Illinois. — Ed.
i* Pierre Rastel, sieur de Rocheblave, was a son of Philippe Fran-
cois, British governor of Illinois, who was captured in 1778 by George
Rogers Clark. In Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 214, note 70, it is stated
that Pierre and Noel (noted Ibid., p. 462, note 84) were nephews of the
elder Rocheblave. Recent information from family descendants proves
that they were in truth his sons, of whom the elder — Noel, once part-
ner of Jacques Porlier — died in Montreal in 1805. Pierre entered the
fur-trade before the close of the eighteenth century, and was by 1801 a
partner of the X Y Company, and in 1803 wintered in the Athabasca
region. In 1804 he signed the agreement, by attorney, for the union
of the two companies. Upon the re-assignment in 1805, Rocheblave
took charge of the Assiniboine district, where he was met by Alexan-
der Henry the younger. Rocheblave was prominent in the reorganized
company, and from 1812-14 officered a voyageur company raised to
protect the North West Company's property. In 1816 he retired from
active wintering and acted as managing agent of the company, each
summer going up to Fort William. He was active in opposition to
Lord Selkirk and in 1817 secured the arrest of the latter. Feb. 9,
1819, Rocheblave married at Montreal Elmire Bouthillier. After the
union of his company with the Hudson's Bay (1821), he devoted him-
self to public service, as member of the legislature and council, and
as local magistrate. He died at Montreal in 1840. One of his daugh-
ters was living in 1908. See also his letters, post. — Ed.
is For a reference to Joseph Bailly, see ante, p. 110, note 49. When
the American expedition visited Drummond Island in 1814, BaiEy
was one of three who were captured. He was taken to Detroit, and
afterwards exchanged. — Ed.
[ 366 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
able to dispose of a great part of my goods at Mackinac to
enable me to fulfill my Engagements here, I mean affter you &
Aird has got your full Supplies I am pretty Confident their
will be a great deal of goods wanted at Mack.
Their is no appearance of peace with the Americans as yet
it appears that G[en.] Proctor intends to carry on the Ware
Vigourously we are Building a 40 Gun Frigate in lake huron
Say Machadach Bay. Their is Every appearance of our pres-
ent governor Sr George Provost being recalled & a new governor
appointed for the Canadas it is Said that the people in eng-
land are verry much displeased with his conduct at Platsburgh
& cry out much against it Their is an immense number of
Troupes to be Sent out here earely in the Spring which will
assist in making [up] all the loss of all the Merchants in Mon-
treal I hope a few will benefit by it in our poor Quarter of the
world, you must reserve as much provisions as will be neces-
sary for the men to come with the Boats as fare as holland River
& as much As will Support you at Mackinac untill I arrive
you can get Beauprey & Chaque16 to accompany Mr Aird to
meet me at holland River17
is Stanislaus Chappu was known to have been a clerk, before 1800,
at the Milwaukee post, where he seems to have remained until about
1805. By 1813 he was a clerk for John Lawe; and being at Mackinac
in 1814, assisted in its defense. He likewise was at this post in 1816,
when he acted as pilot to the American troops coming to build a fort
at Green Bay. He remained in Lawe's employ for many years. In
later life, his post was on the Menominee River, where he took up a
farm, dying thereon about 1854. He was a typical trader, and in the
documents given post much will be found of his activity. — Ed.
it Franks was planning to come up via the Toronto portage, which
was much used during the War of 1812-15. In 1793 Sir John Simcoc,
governor of Upper Canada, made an excursion from Toronto (then
Little York) northward along the route that he had laid out in sub-
sequent years (1794-96). This road, thirty miles in length, was
known as Yonge Street; its northern terminus was on Holland River,
an affluent of Lake Simcoe. Holland River was explored in 1791 by
Maj. S. Holland, surveyor-general of Upper Canada, and to it was
given his name, upon a large manuscript map now in the crown land
office of Ontario. There were two landings, a mile and a half apart —
[ 367 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
My Sister Becky is at York I saw her last fall as I passed
their. M1* Kemble is paymaster to the Incorporated Melissia of
upper Canada. Try and make as much peltries as possible they
will be of value I wish you could get parish griginon18 to Buy
his assortment from me next Summer as he will have a good
deal of peltries as well as money & I Shall have a good deal
more goods than you & James will want Make a long a/c with
goverment & Supply them with all they may want in your
Quarter & I hope James Aird will have a long a/c against gov-
erment allso. I think it would be well to retain powell19 in.
your employ next year but you are the best Judge of that do
as you think proper
I think it would be well for James to try & get Some one to
winter in the yancton country as I Suppose Anderson will
continue in goverment employ & an Equiptment with the Yank-
tons will answer well on account of the Beaver & Buffalo Robes.
I am much afTraid that Goverment will Take all the provisions
belonging to Individuals a bout york as the person I contracted
with made that reserve that if goverment Seized the provisions
he would not be obliged to deliver them to me & of course 1
would [MS. torn] pay for them on my Arrivall here I went
the upper being for canoes and vessels of light draft, the lower for
larger craft. The government erected warehouses at this point, to
be used in the transport to the naval station at Penetanguishene. At
present there is a small village here, known as Holland Landing. — Ed.
isperische Grignon was a son of Pierre the elder, by a Winnebago
mother. He was brought up with the Grignon family, and during the
War of 1812-15 acted as interpreter, accompanying the Indian con-
tingent that went to the siege of Fort Meigs. He had a homestead on
the west side of Fox River, which in 1823 was confirmed to him by
the federal land commissioners. Later he removed to the Fox-Wis-
consin portage, where he married a daughter of a Winnebago chief.
He was living at the portage as late as 1836. — Ed.
19 Peter Powell was a well-known Wisconsin trader, who was a
lieutenant in McKay's expedition against Prairie du Chien (1814),
and was commended for courage and activity. He seems to have set-
tled near Butte des Morts, whence in 1832 a letter (Wisconsin MSS.,
3C132) was written by him to friends in Green Bay. He died in the
latter part of the year 1837— Ed.
[ 368 ]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
to Mrs McDongalls to Board but all the Beds were taken up &
it was a difficult matter to find lodgings in montreal I am
Boarding with the Miss Levys where I am very well off. I
have Settled with La Croix but he made Some fus & Noise here
about my Selling the goods to you & James & threatened to
prosecute me about it but all is Settled Amicably now. I have
rented a room in Mr Platts Store to place my goods in & am
verry offten at a loss20
[Jacob Franks]
1815: EFFECT OF PEACE
[Transcript in Burton Library, Detroit. Letter Book of Ramsay Crooks.]
New York 14. Feb. 1815
Dear Sir — You will have heard of the word of Peace this
will not lessen the value of the Muskrat Skins. At sametime
I wish that you could sell them all, and come on here, as I shall
probably engage in the Indian Trade.
I expect some goods in about two months, when you come, I
hope you will bring M [1000] pounds of the Muskrat skins
with you.
Ginseng ought to be here by first of May Value same as be-
fore, I expect now all the Bank Notes will be in value much
the same so that you may take Philadelphia or Baltimore notes
which I hope will facilitate the sales I am truly yours,
John Jacob Astor
[Source, same as preceding document.]
Brooklyn 21st. March 1815
Dear Crooks — Long ere now you must have chalked me
down in your Black Buke for a most ungrateful, lazy dog, but
my dear fellow you must no longer remain under that surly im-
pression, for be it known unto you, that almost ever since
you last heard from me I have been Campaigning it between
this and the Canadian lines, partly for myself and particularly
20 The manuscript here ends abruptly, a portion being lost. It is in
Franks's handwriting. — Ed.
24 [ 369 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
for an old friend of ours; the result of this peregrination &c.
you shall have at full length when we meet, which I hope you
will accelerate as much as circumstances may permit. I am
now in the full bustle of preparation for Albany, where busi-
ness calls me for a few days, therefore have only time to give
you the purport of a short tete-a-tete I had with the old Cock
this morning, Viz —
That he is digesting a very extensive plan for establishing
all the Indian Countries within the line of demarkation be-
tween G B. & the U. S. and the probability is that a con-
siderable time may elapse before that object can be brought to
full maturity, as he wants an exclusive grant or privelege &c. &c.
he added that it would be a pity, we should in the meantime be
altogether inactive, therefore as he expects a parcel of Indian
goods out in the Spring it is his wish that (Lob Man) you and
myself would come to some arrangement either to purchase the
goods and try the S. W. on our own Acct, or take them to Macki-
nac and give him a certain share of the profits, (as might be
agreed upon)
These are the general outlines, from which you can very
easily draw your conclusions regarding his views, which I really
believe are as friendly toward us all, as his own dear interest
will permit, for of that you are no doubt aware, he will never
loose sight until some hind friend will put his or her fingers
over his eyelids.
If something like this plan would meet your ideas, it will
give me much pleasure for on your judgement I can entirely
rely, knowing you are perfectly conversant in every branch of
that business, and there is no mortal living, I would prefer
being concerned with, of this I have no doubt you are per-
fectly convinced. On your arrival at New York have the
goodness to come to Brooklyn before you wait on the old man
as I would much like to have the first confab with you. Fat
McKenzie21 is here for the third time since his arrival in the
21 No doubt a reference to Donald McKenzie, who was a distant rela-
tive of Sir Alexander McKenzie, and brother of Roderick. He had
[ 370]
1778 1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
white man's country, he pesters the old Tyger's soul out to
employ him again, but he dislikes him very much, sometimes
says that if he enters into the business upon the meditated
large scale that he should like to give him a situation in some
retired corner where he could do no mischief &c. &c.
I am glad that he did not propose him as one of our party as
I think it would break up the concern. Keep these affairs to
yourself and hasten to meet your sincere friend
Kobekt Stuart22
All the good folks of this family desire me to rem. them very
kindly to you — I no sooner told the old Lady that I expected
you soon, that she began to scour her little pot, and called for
the supper to be got ready for her poor Scotchman. I really
think the old lady has some design upon you ; and whether you
are to become my father, brother or son-in-law, you will always
find me yours truly
K. S.
B. Betsy is so glad at the near prospect of your coming
amongst us, that if I did not depend much on my own qualifi-
been a clerk in the North West Company, and in 1809 joined the
Astoria enterprise, proceeding overland from St. Louis to the Colum-
bia. He returned in 1814, and later re-entered the North West Com-
pany. After the coalition of that concern with the Hudson's Bay
Company, he served the latter corporation several years, acting as
governor for the Red River colony. Retiring in 1833, he settled at
Mayville, N. Y., where he died in 1851. — Ed.
22 The career of Robert Stuart was remarkable for adventure and
vicissitude. Born in Scotland in 1784, he was educated at Paris. In
1806 he came to Montreal, where his uncle, David Stuart, was engaged
in the fur-trade. Both uncle and nephew entered Astor's Pacific Fur
Company, and in 1810 sailed for the Columbia in the "Tonquin." On
that famous voyage he showed the resolution and resource that after-
wards characterized his career. In July, 1812, Stuart was placed in
charge of the overland party, of which Ramsay Crooks was a mem-
ber; after severe hardships, it reached St. Louis the following April.
After reaching New York, Stuart married, and the next year began
operations in behalf of Astor, being in 1819 stationed as manager at
Mackinac. There, Stuart was one of the chief personages of the
island, and after 1829 was a member of the mission church. About
[371]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
cations I assure you, it staggers my faith not a little. Magee
desires his best wishes to you, but is too devilish lazy to write,
but promises to make up for it in chat when you meet.
Addressed: Ramsy Crooks Esq. care of Messrs Brown McDonell &
Co. Pittsburg Pennsylvania
Endorsed: Brooklin 21st. March 1815 Robert Stuart Recieved 17
April 1815 Answered 24 April Ditto Rec'd 17th, answered in part
same day Do in full 24th. April
1815: LAST DAYS OF THE NORTH WESTERNERS
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 457, p. 1.]
Montreal 9th May 1815
My dear Old Friend — It is three days since I had the
pleasure of receiving yours of the 21 February, where could it
have been so long on the road — I think before this Ave should
have a regular post to your place, but you have been so long
separated from us that your place is forgoten, however we are
blessed with another peace, which I hope may continue, as long
as I live, but we live in a time that such wonderfull things
happen, that we cannot say what may come to pass. Bone-
parts return to France, will cause another General War in
Europe, which I am afraid will extend to America, as they do
not approve of the peace, I received a letter a few day ago from
our old friend Todd, he was then at Bath taking the Mineral
Waters, and says if his leg gets better he will return to this
Country, as he has no friends in any other, — I expect he will
come by ~New York. It is not only him whom old age de-
prives of friends. I must say that I experience every day the
want of Old acquaintance, they are all Dead, there is only
one alive in Montreal that was here when I came. I know
but very few — what do you think of our Beaver Club which
commenced in 1786 and consisted of 16 members — and I the
1833 he retired from active business, making his later home in De-
troit, where he served as state treasurer (1840-41) and federal In-
dian agent (1841-45). He died in 1848, while visiting Chicago. — Ed.
[ 372]
1778-1815] Fur-trade on Upper Lakes
only one alive.23 our late Friend McGill was the last, and a
great loss he was to Montreal, he allways continued friendly to
the last, and was much regreted, I was happy to hear he was
so friendly to you, his sudden Death deprived him of doing more
good to those who wanted it,24 several who he mentioned to me
shortly before his death — for he had no Idea of going off half
an hour before he died. Mrs. McGill is left comfortable, but
young Deriviere will it is said have £60,000. My dear friend
are me never to meet in this world I think it would do you
much good to Come down. Could I be spared from business I
would go on purpose, to say we Meet once more, old Age should
not prevent me having that pleasure, but necessity at my time of
life obliges me to be attentive in procuring ISTecessarys. Mrs,
Henry & my Daughter Julia has enjoyed uncommon Health, I
have only one Daughter & one son living one was kiled in the
North West25 the other died in the West Indeas, being a Mid-
23 It has usually been supposed that the famous Beaver Club of Mon-
treal was founded in 1785, and flourished until 1824 — see Masson,,
Bourgeois, i, pp. 92-94 — but Henry would appear to know. Probably
he means that he is the last of the original members. The regimen,
and entertainments of the Beaver Club rendered it famous. No one
could be admitted until he had served apprenticeship in the upper
county. The motto of the club was "Fortitude in Distress," and this
was engraved on gold medals, some of which are still existing. The
meeting place was known as Beaver Hall, and during the winter fort-
nightly meetings were held. Here the difficulties and dangers of a
fur-trader's life were recounted, the recital being the more graphic by
contrast of wilderness conditions with the luxurious surroundings cf
the club house. — Ed.
24 The best-known of McGill's benefactions was the bequest which
he made for an educational foundation. This consisted of £10,000 in
money, and a valuable suburban estate. This institution had been
planned some time before his death, and according to the terms of
the will was to be established within ten years after his decease. Ac-
cordingly a charter was granted in 1821, but actual teaching was not
begun until some years later. In 1852, McGill University of Mon-
treal was reorganized, and is at present the most prosperous educa-
tional institution in Canada. Founder's Day is still celebrated each
year at the university. — Ed.
2*> Alexander Henry, second son of the writer, was murdered by a
[ 373 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
shipman in the ISTavey we are subject to many misfortunes in
the World — but our hope is that we will be more happy in the
next, the great Ruler of the World orders all for the Best, we
must depend on him and hope for our support in this life, and
hope for his protection in the Next, where you & I may meet in
those regions of Happiness in the Next, that period must
soon come, it gives me great pleasure to hear you and Mrs
Askin enjoy Health and that you have Escaped the ravages
of War poor Mrs McKee26 suffered much while she was here
with her unfortunate Husband, he had no command over him-
self, continually deranged with Liquor, if he had lived, Gov-
erment could have no relyance on him. I wish she was with
you. I sent by Mr McIntosh a Keg with some Tea Coffee &
Sugar for you, and have never heard from him what he has
done with it, I wish you would enquire of him as I supose he
sold it not suposing while the war continued to be able to con-
vey it to you as the communication is now open I hope to
hear from you frequently, with the most sincere wishes &
prayers of me & Mine for you Mrs Askin & all yours — remain
ever My dear Askin your old friend
Alexander Henry
"N B enclose a News paper with all the News.
John Askin Esquire Sandwich
party of natives while at Fort Nelson, on the Liard River, in the
Athabasca district. The son still living was William, for whom see
Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii, p. 505, note 41. — Ed.
26 For this person see ante, p. 272, note 89. — Ed.
[ 374]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
The Fur-Trade in Wisconsin
1815-1817
1815: AMERICAN MESSAGE TO MENOMINEE
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
3B33. Translated from the French.]
La Bay veete 17 June 1815
Monsieur Louis Grignon
My dear Louis — I write this line to inform you of the small
returns in Peltry that are being sent you, But hope that they
will Sell well. There are only 680 rats & 12 bears 18 cats 2
Martens 3 skunks 19 American martens, 3 otters 2lvs beaver 12
deerskins 5 bear cubs 4 not very good obliged to make them
cheap. They were 21 days in transit so you will see that no
further Returns may be expected. I transfer to Pollitte27 your
half except one of the 2lvs of beaver and 1 otter, 1 bearcub skin
and 1 deer skin which remain with me to give you your half.
2" This was the brother of Pierre and Louis Grignon. His baptismal
name was Hippolyte, but he was usually called "Pollitte" or "Paul."
Being born at Green Bay Sept. 14, 1790, he was next to the youngest
son. He was in the fur-trade with his brothers, and about 1818 win
tered at Milwaukee. After the death of his eldest brother Pierre
(1823), he was administrator for the estate. In 1825 he entered into
a trading partnership with his younger brother Amable, which con-
tinued for some years. He finally settled in the neighborhood of Ap-
pleton. His first wife was a Menominee woman, by whom he had
several daughters. Afterward he married Lizette Chorette, for whose
father see ante, p. 170, note 33; Simon and Joseph Grignon of Apple-
ton were their sons, and Mrs. James Knaggs and Josette de Crenier of
Oshkosh, their daughters. Paul Grignon was at Portage in 1836, when
Pauquette was killed; see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, p. 385. — Ed.
[ 375 ]
1815-1S17]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Inclosed are three notes that I request you will hand to Monsieur
Bertelotte to get from him money if he can furnish it. There
is nothing going on here, Pollitte is in charge as usual. I send
the Peltries for Gravelle,28 and note that there are 3 Martens, 1
skunk, 1 Deerskin, 68 Rats. His Pay about equals the expense
A message from the Americans W. Clak [Clark] & A. Cho-
teau29 having Come addressed to the Chief and Warriors of the
Folle Avoines I have sent it to you by Monsieur Porlier, he
will give you an idea of it I am with Esteem & consideration
Your Brother & friend
P. Grignon.
Try and make tomas do his duty they say he wishes to give a
favorable reply to the Americans Tell him to take care.
1815: WISCONSIN POSTS RECOMMENDED
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office,
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 101; Lewis Cass to Secretary of War.]
Detroit June 20th. 1815.
Sir — I had intended by this time to have submitted to you a
general view of the state of Indian affairs in this Country and
of the measures necessary to be adopted, to secure permanent
tranquility upon the frontiers.
But so much of my time is engaged by applications and visits
from the Indians that I find it impracticable to effect this ob-
ject immediately. I am only able to submit to you the accom-
panying propositions, which are the result of my enquiries and
which if adopted will I trust cause a salutary reform in the
state of our Indian relations.
The privilege which British traders have heretofore enjoyed
28 Louis Gravelle was an early Canadian-French settler and voy-
ageur of Green Bay. He had a farm on the west side of Fox River,
which was confirmed to him hy the land commissioners, and there
he was living as late as 1832. — Ed.
20 For a sketch of Auguste Chouteau, see Wis. Hist Colls., xviii,
p. 412, note 18.— Ed.
[ 376 ]
1815-18171 Fur-trade in Wisconsin
of carrying on a lucrative commerce with the Indians is a sub-
ject, which will doubtless engage the attention of the Govt,, To
this source may be traced most of the difficulties we have ex-
perienced in our intercourse with them, I have every reason to
believe that the Indian Department opposite to us are about to
adopt the same systematick course of measures, which they have
so long and so successfully pursued but with renewed activity
and increased exertion. A deputation of one influential Chief
from each of the different tribes left Maiden shortly since for
the lower province and another follows in a few days. What
their precise object is we have not yet been able to ascertain,
but such enquiries are making as will soon disclose it to us,
There is little doubt however of its relating to a general, sys-
tematick and vigorous organization of their Indian Department.
In the mean time a large quantity of goods have arrived at
Maiden to be distributed as presents and the Agents and sub-
ordinate officers are more numerous than at any former period,
These unerring indications give us timely warning that the
same measures are to be adopted, the same lying system con-
tinued (pardon the epithet, could all the facts be presented to
you, you would say no milder term could be used) and the same
plan of filling our Indian Country with the agents and Inter-
preters and traders which have at all former periods kept the
North Western frontiers in a state of feverish alarm.
I am aware that the Government are compelled to view the
whole ground and it may become necessary to grant to the
British the privileges heretofore held among the Indians in
order to secure to our Country commercial rights more impor-
tant to the nation at large. It is with a view to such a possible
event, that I submit these propositions to you. Their adop-
tion will be found to counteract in a very considerable degree
causes which have heretofore operated without any check.
Should it be found necessary in a treaty of commerce to make
such a stipulation, the evil would be diminished by allowing to
British subjects this privilege under the same restrictions it is
granted to American Citizens. This will secure to us the right
of recalling them, when we find their machinations injurious or
[ 377 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
when their obvious purpose of trading is to cover a p[olicy] for
scattering disaffection among the Indians.
There are three great channels of communication, by which
traders may introduce the goods into the Mississippi and Missis-
souri Country from the British dominions, One is by the way
of Chicago, and down the Illinois. Another by the way of
Green Bay up the Fox River and down the Ouisconsin. This
has been the great thoroughfare along which goods have been
taken. Immense quantities have been smuggled to the Mis-
sissippi and it is calculated that not more than one third part
of those sold in the Indian Country, every [year] pay duties.
The establishment of a post at Green Bay and at Prairie du
Chien will close this line of communication. Another at Chi-
cago will effect the same object upon the Illenois. There will
then remain a route to be taken, which has heretofore been little
used. It is up a small river which enters lake Superior near
the Grand Portage and along a number of small lakes with por-
tages to heads of the Mississippi. I am informed by intelli-
gent men that this is the only route, after closing those by Chi-
cago and Green Bay which is practicable.
If the British traders are eventually to be excluded, a post
near the Grand Portage will be necessary to effect this object.
Should other considerations render their admission proper the
post would still be necessary to ensure a collection of the duties
and to enforce the regulations proper to be adopted. A dis-
play of the power of the United States in that remote quarter
would be productive of salutary effects upon the minds of the
Indians. Should it be deemed proper to establish a post in that
Country the previous arrangements should be made this fall,
in order that we may be ready to proceed at the opening of the
navigation.
I am inclined to believe if these posts are all established and
proper regulations adopted at the various agencies, that Brit-
ish traders may be admitted without very serious inconvenience.
Certain I am that their admission will not be attended with the
same evils, which have heretofore been Experienced.
Mr. Jouett the Agent for Green Bay has arrived here, he has
[ 378 ]
Lewis Cass
Prom oil portrait, in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society, copied
by Lewis T. Ives from original (Detroit, 1839) by
George A. P. Healy
I8i5-i8i7i Fur-hade in Wisconsin
been long acquainted with Mr. Kinzie30 whom I recommended
to you for the appointment of Agent at Chicago, I have re-
quested Mr. Jouett to address you upon the subject. Very
Respectfully Sir I have the honor to [be] Yrs. etc. etc.
[Lewis Cass]31
Hon. A. J. Dallas Actg. Secty. of War.
so John Kinzie was the son of John McKenzie, a British surgeon of
the Royal American regiment. Kinzie was born at Quebec, Dec. 3.
1763, and in early life removed with his mother and stepfather,
William Forsyth, to New York City. At the age of ten, John ran
away from home, and finding his way to Quebec learned the trade of
silversmith. His family having removed to Detroit, he began at the
age of eighteen the career of a fur-trader, and was known to the
Indians as Shawneeawkee, or "Silver Man." During his fur-trading
adventures in Ohio and Indiana, he met Margaret McKenzie, an Ameri-
can . captive, whom he married in Indian fashion. After her return
to Virginia at the close of the Indian wars (1795), Kinzie married
(1798) at Detroit, Eleanor Lytle, widow of a British officer, Capt.
Daniel McKillip. In 1803, Kinzie removed his family to Chicago,
where Fort Dearborn was about to be built, and this place became his
future home, his house being just west of the river's mouth, on the
north bank. In 1812 the Kinzie family were saved from the general
massacre by the friendship of the Indians, taken to Detroit, and sur-
rendered as prisoners of war. In January, 1813, Kinzie was paroled
by General Proctor. In August of the same year, he was arrested for
treasonable correspondence with the Americans, and carried captive to
Quebec, where he was finally released as being a United States citi-
zen. In 1816 he returned to Chicago, where he resided until his death
in 1828. For a more extended notice, see Eleanor Lytle Kinzie Gor-
don, John Kinzie (Savannah, Ga., 1910). — Ed.
3i Lewis Cass (1782-1866) was an important agent in the develop-
ment of Michigan and Wisconsin territories. After an active part in
the War of 1812-15, he was in 1813 appointed governor for the terri-
tory, an office which he filled until 1831, when he was called to the
presidential cabinet. During his governorship he was superintendent
of Indian affairs for the Northwest region. The agents of Mackinac,
Green Bay, and Chicago reported to him; while those of the Mississippi
region were under the charge of Gen. William Clark. — Ed.
[ 379]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1815: UNITED STATES FACTORIES IN WISCONSIN
[Source, same as preceding document, but Indian Office Letter Book
"C," p. 223.]
The Acting Secretary of War has the honor to represent to
the President of the United States —
That the menaces of the Indians throughout the Indian coun-
tries, require immediate attention ; and among the means which
are proper for restoring harmony, preserving peace, and defeat-
ing the arts employed by intrusive traders to generate Indian
hostilities, it is recommended that there be immediately estab-
lished an Indian agency on the Fox river, in the neighborhood
of Green bay, upon the following principles : —
1. That the agent shall make a competent establishment upon
a site to be selected by him, and approved by the major general
commanding the division of the north, at which an armoury
proper for the accommodation of the Indians, shall be main-
tained under the charge of the agent.
2. That the establishment, so formed, shall be a military
station, to be occupied by two companies of the troops of the
United States, or such other force as the commanding general
shall deem competent for its defence and support.
3. That a factory shall be connected with the establishment',
so formed, to be provided with a competent supply of suitable
merchandise for the Indians, to be distributed, or disposed of,
in such manner as the department of War shall, from time to
time, direct.
4. That notice of this arrangement be given to the major
generals of divisions, — to the commanding officers of the troops
of the United States at Michillimaekinac, and to the superin-
tendant of Indian factories, for the benefit of their immediate
co-operation.
5. That Mr. Charles Jouett be appointed the Indian agent
for the proposed establishment, to repair to the station, forth-
with, having arranged with general Mason, for procuring and
transporting an immediate supply of goods, to be distributed
[ 380]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
in presents to the Indians, until a permanent factory be pro-
vided.
6. That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to issue orders
for the co-operation of the public vessels on lake Erie, in form-
ing the proposed establishment, in transporting troops or sup-
plies,— and in impressing the Indians with the naval force of
the government in that quarter, by navigating lake Michigan.
7. That the Indian agent shall receive as a full compensation
for his services, a salary of one thousand dollars, payable quar-
terly, with an allowance of six rations per diem, or an equiva-
lent in money, according to the price at the nearest military
post.
All which is respectfully submitted.
A. J. Dallas.
Department of War, 19th. June, 1815.
June 20, 1815, Approved James Madison.
Endorsed: Report to the President of the United States.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 225.]
Department of War, June 20th. 1815.
Sir — Inclosed herewith, you will receive a commission as
agent of Indian affairs, to be stationed at Fox river, in the
neighbourhood of Green bay. Should you accept the appoin-
ment, you will please to repair to Detroit, forthwith, and re-
port yourself to governor Cass, thro' whom your communica-
tions will be made to this department.
Your compensation will be at the rate of one thousand dol-
lars per annum, and six rations a day, to commence at the time
of your departure to take possession of the agency, of which
you will please to notify this department. I am, Sir, very
respectfully,
A. J. Dallas.
Addressed: Charles Jouett.
[381]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 366.]
Indian Office Geo: town 21 June 1815
Jos. B. Yarnum Jr. Esq, now at Albany
Sir — It has been determined by the Department of war to
establish a military Post and an Indian military agency forth-
with on the Green bay of Lake Michigan at or near where the
fox River — or the streight between Lake Winebago falls into
the Green Bay, and at this office to place a Factory at the same
spot — as you gave me to understand when I had the pleasure to
see you some time agoe that you would willingly again accept
an agency in this Department and in some of your former let-
ters while employed at Michilimackinac you expressed an opin-
ion that the place now contemplated would be a proper loca-
tion for a trading house, and that you would readily consent to
remove to it, It gives me pleasure now to be able to offer this
agency to you.32 The salary and subsistence money will be
the same as heretofore allowed you at Mackinac — to wit $1000,
and $365.
Mr. Charles Jouett the former military agent at Chicago has
been appointed by the Secretary of war military agent for that
post, he leaves the seat of government, tomorrow to prepare to
embark at Erie Presque Isle on Lake Erie by the 16th of next
month — there to embark in a public vessel which will be or
dered by the Secretary of the navy to take him to Detroit,
Mackinac, and to the bottom of Green Bay.
If you accept the appointment proposed and your affairs will
permit you to sett of on your mission as soon, it would be use-
full to the service, and very desirable to me, as you could assist
with Mr. Jouett in selecting a proper place for a scite for the
Post, with a view to the Interests of the factory and the con-
venience of communicating with the neighbouring tribes of In-
dians, and in prepareing the proper buildings for the Factory
so as to be enabled to occupy them with the goods before winter.
32 it will be seen by the following documents that Varnum did not
accept this position, and that the position of first factor at Green
Bay was filled by the appointment of Matthew Irwin. — Ed.
[ 382 ]
.18151817 1 Fur-trade in Wisconsin
In this case the assortment for trade and other articles could be
sent to you and deposited at Mackinac so as to reach that place
it is hoped by the last of September or the middle of October.
I request to hear from you immediately on the reception of
this letter, and to be informed first whether you accept the ap-
pointment, and next whether you can go on as speedily as pro-
posed, if it can [not] be done with certainty so as to join Mr.
Jouett at Erie by the 16th. July, it should not be attempted
should you accept and not be able to make your arrangements
so as to go with him, it will then be best that you go on with
the goods, say from Erie about the 1st. of Sept: sooner than
which I don't think they can be prepared and sent on, owing to
the yet great scarcity and high prices of the proper articles.
In either case the commencement of your compensation will
be dated from the time you take up your route from your pres-
ent residence for your post.
In case you should accept and determine to go on with Mr.
Jouett, and to save time I enclose you the form of the requisite
bond and oath of office which you can execute, and return me
the same securities given in your former bond will be deemed
sufficient.
It was not in my power to have given you earlier information
on this subject, as the arrangement was only determined by
the Department of War yesterday.33
A strong military post and a Factory will be established this
fall at Prarie des Chiens, the preperations for which in both
Departments have been moved some time agoe. Mr. John John-
son the former factor at Fort Madison will have charge of the
factory.34
33 This gives with certainty the date that the United States govern-
ment decided to build a post at Green Bay, where none had been es-
tablished since the departure of the British in 1763. See Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, p. 254. — Ed.
34 John W. Johnson was a native of Maryland, who while quite
young received the appointment as United States factor at Fort Madi-
son, on the site of the present Iowa town of that name. This fort was
built in 1808 as a protection for the newly-established factory. It was
[ 383 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
It is intended to renew the post and factory at Chicago in
which case Mr. Irwin will be reinstated there in his former
agency. It is probable that this is all we shall be able to do
previous to the next winter in the trade Department in the quar-
ter of the Lakes.
If you determine to depart immediately with Mr. Jouett on
hearing from you to that effect, I will write you some additional
Instructions to meet you at Erie, or at Detroit or Mackinac, as
I find I shall best be in time to do, and I request in such case
that you will write me before you leave Erie a list of such
articles as you may think will most properly constitute an
assortment for the proposed trading house to be placed under
your charge having reference to an amount of about $12 or
15,000$ in all which is about the amount I propose to supply
you with this fall as also a list of such tools and materials say
Ironmongery etc. as you may suppose necessary to enable you
to put up, with the aid of the military the requisite buildings
for a small factory establishment, which can be afterwards
augumented if found necessary. I am etc. etc. etc.
J. M[ason]
besieged in 1812, after the fall of Fort Dearborn; and the factory,
which lay without the fort, was burned by the garrison to keep it
from being plundered by hostile Indians. The following year, during
July and August, the garrison endured an almost continuous siege,
but skilfully escaped in the night of Sept. 3, 1813, burning the fort
behind them. In all of these operations, Johnson seems to have had
part, and to have continued trading with friendly Indians at St.
Louis or vicinity — see Amer. State Papers, Indian Affairs, ii, pp. 39,
44, 49, 53. In 1816 he went to Prairie du Chien, where he established
the factory, and in 1818 was chosen judge of the county court for
Crawford. He remained in charge of the post until the close of the
factory system, when he removed to St. Louis, where he was living
as late as 1837. He married a Sauk woman, and by her had several
children, whom he educated. — Ed.
[ 384]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 379.]
Indian office Washington 28 July 1815
Mathew Irwin Esq
Sir — Your two letters of the 11th. March and 8th. April
[from] White Hall N". York were received in due course, they
were not replied to as it was not very certain when or how we
should reestablish our Factories in the Lakes.
It has been lately decided to place a garrison and a Factory
on the Green Bay of Lake Michigan, at or near where the Fox
River or the straight of Lake Winebago falls into the Bay. Mr.
Chas. Jouett the former military agent at Chicago, has been
appointed by the Secretary of War military agent for this
post. The Garrison and Mr. Jouett are already in motion for
their destination by way of Detroit and Michilimackinae.
During an indisposition by which I was confined in the
early part of this Month I requested Mr. Bronaugh35 to write
you and to inform you, that you would be reappointed to a fac-
tory and to request you to come here, we have not heard from
you yet in reply. This then is to inform you that as in your
letters of last spring you expressed a preference for the position
at Green Bay, you will be appointed to that factory, provided
you can go on immediately, your salary will be at the rate of
$1000. per annum and allowance for subsistence money $365.
The goods intended for it are all here and now packing,
they will be moved in a very few days in waggons via Pitts-
burg to Erie on Lake Erie, there to be embarked at any rate
from that point not later than the 1st. Sept : by which time it
will if you accept, be necessary that you be there to accompany
the goods.
I have to request then that you let me hear from you with the
least possible delay, and that you will inform, if you accept
where I shall direct to you and in the meantime, if I can count
with certainty — that you will be at Erie ready to embark by
the 1st. Sept: should you take Philada. in your way, and be
Jeremiah W. Bronough was chief clerk of the department of In-
dian trade, until its abolition in 1822. — Ed.
25 [ 385 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
able to be here by the first 5 or 6 days in august, I should be
glad you would come on at once, but not otherwise, as after that
time I shall probably be from home. You will necessarily see
from the advanced stage of the season that there is not a moment
to be lost. I am etc. etc. etc.
J. M[ason]
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 397.]
Indian office August 7, 1815
John TP. Johnson Esq. U. 8. F. at Prarie des Chiens.
Sir — I have received your letter of the 9 July from St.
Louis, and am glad to find you had arrived safely with all your
goods in so short a period.
I regret the mistake about your Tobacco, and hope you will
be able to obtain it of Glovr. Clarkes parcell. I will replace
it as soon as possible, your draft for your quarters salary to
1 June will be paid.
In confirmation of the several conversations I had with you
while here last spring as to the Factory to be established at
Prarie des Chiens, You will if not already done proceed with
the Ul S. troops, or such detachment of them moving to Prarie
des Chiens as will insure a safe convoy, with your assistant Mr.
Belt,36 and all the factory goods and implements remaining
Robert B. Belt of Maryland became assistant factor to Johnson
while the latter was in charge at Fort Madison, having been appointe"
in June, 1812. He must, therefore, have been a participant in the
siege of Port Madison (see ante, p. 383, note 34) and concerned in its
evacuation and the destruction of the factory. Since his salary con
tinued to be paid throughout the war, it is probable that he was con
nected with the peaceful Sauk and Foxes, who removed to Missour
on the outbreak of the War of 1812-15. Belt was at Prairie du Chie
with Johnson for less than two years, when he was given charge o
the new factory at Fort Edwards, on the Mississippi, below Roc"
Island. There Forsyth met him in 1819 — see Wis. Hist. Colls., vi
p. 190, where the name is erroneously printed "Bett." After the clo
ing of the factories in 1822, nothing more is known by us concernin
this person. — Ed.
[ 386 ]
V815-1S17J
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
from the establishment at the River Le Moin,37 and will estab-
lish yourself at or near the village of the Prarie des Chien,
in the position which may in your opinion in conjunction with
the Commanding officer or any other person authorised by the
War Dept. for that purpose be found best to hold a communica-
tion in trade with the neighbouring tribes of Indians and at the
same time, be sufficiently under the protection of the military
force, if this should be at the village, it is presumed you will
be able to occupy some of the houses there that are public prop-
erty, or to rent of individuals on easy terms. If it should be
not at the village, it will be requisite you should build the neces-
sary houses; in which case you will be governed as nearly a<*
3v The first factory on the Mississippi above the Des Moines was at
Fort Madison, for which see ante, p. 383, note 34. In August, 1814,
Maj. Zachary Taylor was sent up the Mississippi to re-inforce and
provision the garrison left by Gen. William Clark at Prairie du Chiem
He found that this place had been captured by the British under Maj..
William McKay (see ante, p. 365, note 12). Taylcr had a sharp skir-
mish near Rock Island, and having fallen back erected Fort John-
son, not far from the present Warsaw, Hancock County, 111. — see
Niles' Register, viii, suppl. p. 137; and Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, pp. 243-
245. This fort was burned and abandoned in October of the same
year — Ibid., p. 250; and Life and Letters of Ninian Edwards (Spring-
field, 111., 1870), p. 82. There could have been no factory or factor's
goods at this point. What was known as "Des Moines factory," whose
reports were consecutively made from 1812 to 1815, must have tem-
porarily been located near St. Louis, or within the protection of tlie
American lines — for until 1816 there could have been no place near
Des Moines River, where a factory of Indian goods might have been
maintained. Johnson did not arrive at Prairie du Chien until May 26
of that year, for during all of 1815 the tribes on the Mississippi and
Rock rivers were hostile — see Amer. State Papers, Ind. Affs., ii, pp. 9,
11. Although the other hostile tribes made treaties at Portage des
Sioux during the summer and autumn of 1815, the Rock River Sauk
and Winnebago remained recalcitrant, and continued hostilities.
Early in 1816 messages were sent to the disaffected tribes, who
finally sent delegations to St. Louis, where on May 13 the Sauk of
Rock River, and June 3, the Wisconsin Winnebago, bound themselves
to keep the peace. In anticipation of this result, Johnson went to
Prairie du Chien some months in advance of the military forces. — Ed.
[ 387 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections ivoi. xix
may be by the number of houses and kind of establishment you
had at Le Moin, and in every case you will be governed by the
strictest ceconomy compatible with the public service.
In case of buildings or repairs as it is presumed labour of
no other kind can be had in that quarter, you will apply to the
Commanding officer to assist you by detaching from time to
time such of the soldiers as may be necessary and can be spared
from duty, to whom you will from the factory funds give the
same allowance for fatigue duty in money and whiskey hereto-
fore allowed on similar occasions at your Post, keeping and
rendering accurate accounts of the same from time to time, and
ultimately a complete [account] of the cost of your buildings,
or repairs as the case may be. should the position chosen not
be at the village, and should it be found that you will not have
time to cover yourself at it this winter, it will be adviseable to
establish yourself at the village untill you can compleat the in-
tended buildings at the post, in such case if the military do
not generally remain at the village you will apply to the Com-
manding officer for a sufficient guard to protect the public prop-
erty in your charge while you remain there.
You will at the new establishment, open and carry on a fair
and liberal trade with the neighbouring tribes of Indians, and
make your returns of Peltries Furs and other things to the agt.
of this office at Saint Louis, in the same manner and under
the same general instructions as you have heretofore done at
the former establishment, advising me as frequently as possible
of all your movements and of your prospects, particularly of
the tribes with which you will come in contact in that quarter
of their dispositions toward the United States their location,
numbers, hunting grounds, the produce of their hunts, and the
articles most proper to furnish you with for trade with them.
With best wishes for your health and success, I am etc. etc,
J. M[ason]
P. S. Since you left us I have received three letters from
your assist : Mr. Belt, informing me that by the advice of
Gov: Clark he had furnished him with $600. worth of Goods
[ 388 ]
c 1815 i8i7i Fur-trade in Wisconsin
intended for the Fox annuities,38 which the Govt, had after-
wards determined to give in presents to the Puttawatimies. in
this last case you must get a bill on the Dept. of war for that
sum and if requisite furnish anew for the Fox annuities. I
have written to Mr. Belt and approve of this as well as some
trafic he had made by the advice of Gov. Clark. [Word illegi-
ble] for Blankets and Tobacco.
J. M.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 402.]
Indian office 7th Aug: 1815
The Honbl. William H. Crawford Secretary of War
Sir — As has been heretofore customary (to shew which I beg
leave to refer to my letter of the 13 May 1809 to the Secy, of
"War and to his reply of the 15 same month) and is really neces-
sary under the peculiar circumstances of the case — I have to
sollicit that you will be pleased to instruct the Commanding
officers at the Posts nearest to the Factories about to be estab-
lished at Prarie des Chiens and on the Missouri or Osage, at
Green Bay at or near Chicago, to detach as occasion may re-
quire and place at the disposition of the United States factors
respectively the requisite number of soldiers to erect for them
suitable buildings for the factory establishment, from time to
time to aid them in packing and beating furs and Peltries, The
Factors making to the Men so employed a daily reasonable al-
lowance for fatigue duty, which has been heretofore fixed at
Ten Cents and a gill of whiskey per day (when this last can be
The treaty of 1804 with the Sauk and Foxes, provided that an
annuity of $1,000 should be paid — $600 for the former, $400 for the
latter. For the payments in 1817 and 1819, see the Forsyth papers in
Wis. Hist. Colls., vi, p. 191; xiii, p. 347. The tribesmen were dissatis-
fied with these payments, refusing (in 1817) to accept them, and
claiming that the treaty of 1804 was spurious. Later, their necessities
induced the acceptance, but in 1821 they claimed that goods were not
furnished that could be divided among the tribe. See Jedidiah Morse,
Report to the Secretary of War (New Haven, 1822), p. 57, and app.
p. 139.— En.
[ 389 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
had) during the time they are so engaged. The factors will be
provided from this office with the requisite tools and materials.
The distance from the settlements at which the factories are
established make it impossible to procure labour otherwise than
from the military, and as the soldiers will have little else to do,
it has been found that they chearfully engage in work of this
kind for a small addition to their pay and comfort thus fur-
nished from the factory fund.
As we have had at such posts too many instances of broils be-
tween the Commandants and the Factors, detrimental to the
public service as well military as civil, I will take the liberty
to suggest the propriety that both should receive strong injunc-
tions to maintain harmony and keep up constantly an inter-
course of reciprocal good offices, in their respective spheres. 1
have enjoined and shall continue to enjoin this course of con-
duct strictly on all the factors.
For your information I beg leave to enclose an extract of my
instructions to John W. Johnson factor at Prarie des Chiens
relative to the establishment under his charge. With great Re-
spect etc. etc.
J. M[ason]
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 406.]
Indian office August 11th. 1815
The Honbl. Wm. H. Craioford Secretary of War
Sir — In consequence of the understanding on that subject
with the Dept. of war, goods to the amount of $20,000 are now
prepared at this office and will be moved in a very few days by
way of Pittsburg to Erie on Lake Erie, intended for two fac-
tories one to be established at the Military post on Green Bay
of Michigan and one at that which may be located at or near
Chicago on Lake Michigan.
The uncertainty of getting the means of private transporta-
tion on the T^akes and the importance of a speedy conveyance at
this late stage of the season, makes it very desireable to obtain
this transportation by a public vessel, as I presume the navy
[ 390 ]
1815-18171
Fur-tracle in Wisconsin
Department have vessels unemployed on that Lake, I will take
the liberty to sollicit if in your opinion the measure be neces-
sary, that you will be pleased to ask of the Navy Dept. a ves-
sel to transport these Goods, and the two agents who will accom-
pany them from Erie to Michilimackinac, and thence if neces-
sary to Green Bay or Chicago, to be ready to take them in at
Erie by the 10th. or at latest the 15th. Sept : I am etc. etc. etc.
J. M[ason]
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 416.]
Indian office Washn. 20 aug. 1815
Mathew Irwin Esq. U. 8. F. for Green Bay
Sir — This letter I presume will find you at Erie on your way
to your Post. I enclose you herewith an Invo. of goods in-
tended for the factory to be placed under your charge at Green
Bay (Chicago)39 containing 113 (65) Packages amo. $15,738,06
($9452.34). These goods are neither as well chosen or as
advantageously bought as could be desired but the scarcity and
present high prices of articles suitable for our purposes left
us no choice in the desire, to have in the quarter of the country
to which you are going some goods at least this winter to supply
the wants of the Indians, you will find with the Post master
at Erie a letter from Capt. Wooly at Pittsburg who conducts
the transportation informing you who is his agent at Erie and
who will place these Goods on board a public vessel the Schooner
Ghent to your order. The Commander has directions to fur-
nish you with a passage, your own stores you will lay in, he will
proceed directly to Mackinac with you which will be garrisoned
by our troops before you reach it. you will there apply to the
Commanding officer for information, and enquire also for
Charles Jouett Esq (Col: Eoyer)40 Military Indian agent who
30 The words and figures enclosed in parentheses in the following
document were supplied in the second letter (otherwise identical with
this), intended for Jacob B. Varnum, who was going as Indian factor
to Chicago. — Ed.
4o Col. John Bowyer belonged to a prominent family of Augusta
[391]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
is to reside at the same place, and if in time to go with the
troops and military stores, you will take your passage in com-
pany with them on this or some public vessel, if the troops and
military stores should have gone on you will immediately fol-
low and join them at the Post with your goods taking care not
to move but in an armed vessel or under such protection of the
public force, as well to ensure the protection of the property in
your charge, and to this end you will apply to the Commanding
Officer and the military agent will have fixed or in conjunction
will fix on the particular scite at or near Green Bay (Chicago)
deemed most proper to combine all the advantages for a military
position, and for trade and intercourse with the neighbouring
Indians. This done you will immediately set about erecting
suitable buildings for the accomodation of yourself and the fac-
tory, it is presumed a dwelling house of about 20 by 30 feet,
and a house for a store and warehouse of same dimensions will
be sufficient with if necessary the aid of one or two small out
houses. The Commanding officer at your Post has been in-
structed from the War Department to give you the requisite aid
in putting up these buildings, and you will make to the Soldiers
County, Va., whose members took part in Dunmore's War (1774) and
the Revolution. Inheriting military tastes, young Bowyer entered
the regular army as lieutenant in 1792. Four years later, he was an
officer of the 3d infantry, being promoted to a captaincy in 1799. By
1808 he had become major, and in 1812 lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd
infantry; and in 1814, colonel of the 5th. In 1813, Colonel Bowyer
was stationed on the Southern frontier, and in April of that year aided
in the capture of Mobile. In the summer of the same year, a fort
was built some miles below the city, and named for its commander,
Fort Bowyer. Later it was dismantled, and the command removed.
Colonel Bowyer had served with great efficiency, but upon the reduc-
tion of the army to a peace footing in 1815, he was discharged,
and given instead an Indian agency. As shown by documents post.
he arrived at Green Bay in the early summer of 1816, and for a
home purchased the farm of Judge Charles Reaume. He was of
Huguenot descent, spoke French, and made himself as popular with
the unwilling inhabitants as any American Indian agent could. 1le
subscribed to their schools, and brought his family to live at Green
Bay, where he died in 1820, while still agent for the government. — Ed.
[ 392 ]
1813 1S17 j
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
detached on this duty a fatigue allowance of 10 Cents and a
gill of Whiskey to each man per day.
You will use every possible oeconomy in putting up these
buildings and when done render me accurate accounts of the
whole cost, with your goods will be sent some tools and imple-
ments for building, and whiskey for the detached soldiers.
Should it happen that it be determined by the Military not to
establish a Post this winter at the position described to you, or
should it be that you arrive so late at Mackinac (which is to be
avoided if it can possibly be) that it should not on account of
the frost be in your power to get to that position before winter
sets in, you will remain at Mackinac during winter and store
your goods in some safe place untill you can proceed on the
expedition in the spring; and in mean time if at or near that
place you can with safety open any usefull traffic with the
friendly Indians, and supply with goods for their skins furs
etc., it will be best to do so to a certain extent and particularly
if you find this is necessary to their real wants.
You will in all respects be governed by the general instruc-
tions, as to your conduct toward the Indians and the trade with
them, given from this office to you while factor at Chicago
(Sandusky)41 and you will make return in Peltries furs etc.
thro Mackinac and Erie to Capt. Abraham Wooly at Pittsburg,
who will forward them to this office.
I beg thus early in forming a new establishment to recom-
mend in the most particular manner to you that you will do all
that may depend on you to preserve harmony, good understand-
ing and an interchange of reciprocal good offices between the
Military Commandant and yourself, as also with the military
agent, the interest of the public service requires this and it is
hoped that Gentlemen having all the same general object in
charge, will unite each in his own sphere in producing the end
desired by the Government.
4i Varnum had been the government factor at Sandusky, as Irwin
had been at Chicago; but the War of 1812-15 broke up their respective
factories. — Ed.
[ 393 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
You will keep me constantly advised of your movements, and
the general state of your business — be very particular in keep-
ing your Inventories and accounts, and to make regular quar-
terly returns as heretofore in your former agency. Inform
yourself as soon as you are able to give me detailed information
with regard to all the Indian tribes within reach of you, their
numbers, position, hunting grounds, produce of their hunts,
articles suitable for their use etc. and their disposition toward
the United States.
With best wishes for your speedy and safe arrival and the
success of the establishment under your charge, I am etc. etc.
J. M[Asoisr]
P. S. As you will probably be some time in company with
Capt. Varnum42 who goes to Chicago, I beg you will give him
all the information you may think usefull as to the tribes of
42 Jacob B. Varnum was a younger brother of Joseph, who had
formerly been factor at Mackinac; see ante, p. 326, note 69. He was
born in Massachusetts in 1788, and in 1809 received his first appoint-
ment to an office in the militia. Two years later (Aug. 6, 1811), he
was, through his father's influence, appointed factor at Sandusky,
where the trading-house was broken up by hostile Indians (Oct. 31,
1812). During the war he served in the army, and being ordered to
Maine, in command of a small coast fort, was captured (1813) by the
officers of a British man-of-war, who released him upon parole. In
August, 1815, having resigned from the army, Varnum was appointed
factor for Chicago. He arrived there some time in the month of
September, 1816, after a long delay at Mackinac, where he married
Marianne Aikens. She died the year after her marriage, and in 1819
Captain Varnum married Catharine Dodimead of Detroit. The fac-
tory at Chicago was just south of the re-built Fort Dearborn. For a
portion of the time Varnum boarded with Jean Baptiste Beaubien.
His success in establishing trade with the Indians was very small,
due to causes quite beyond his control. In the spring of 1820 he
had exchanged but $25 worth of goods for furs — see letters in A. T.
Andreas, History of Chicago (Chicago, 1884), i, pp. 88, 89, 93, 94. In
1822, the Chicago factory having been abolished, Varnum removed to
Washington, whence in 1828 he made a home at Petersburg, Va. A
non-combatant during the siege of that town in 1863, his home was
burned and he finally returned to Washington, where he died in
1874.— Ed.
[ 394]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Indians in that quarter and their trade intercourse etc. which
jour experience among them will enable you to do, and that you
will give him your opinion at large as to the proper position in
that quarter for a new Factory.
Should it happen that Capt. Varnum does not get up [in]
time for the sailing of the vessel before mentioned you will take
charge of all the goods, and deliver those for Chicago to the
care of the Commanding officer at Mackinac to be held to the
order of Capt. Jacob B. Varnum.
1815: USE OF LIQUOR PROHIBITED
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
3B42. Translated from the French.]
Pbairie Du chiens Oct. 22, 1815
Sir — Having learned from the account of Mr. bettelle that
you wish me to know that you have suffered a Considerable
loss since The War and that you are trying to recover since
your loss has been Caused because you occupied a position under
the Americans, I hope that you will be recompensed, if you make
a representation and an estimate of your loss and send it with
proper Certificates to Governor Edwards43 at cahoux [Ca-
hokia], and he can perhaps protect you. As for your place as
magistrate I give you full power to exercise it since the treaty
of peace, for he has invested me with these powers, until he
sends you different orders. These orders are to prohibit liquor
43 Ninian Edwards, territorial governor of Illinois, was born in
Maryland in 1775. Early in life he removed to Kentucky, where he
studied law and was judge of several courts, being in 1808 chief justice
of the state. Upon the organization of the territory of Illinois, he
was chosen governor, and served with vigor and effectiveness during
the territorial period of that commonwealth. Being chosen first
United States senator from Illinois, he was at the expiration of his
term, appointed (1824) minister to Mexico, but resigned before visit-
ing his post. From 1826-30 he served as governor of the state of
Illinois, and died in 1833 at his home at Belleville. — Ed.
[ 395 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
among the nations especially at the post. I have asked Mr roy4*
to give you the notice that he Is to post at the portage of the
Wisconsient in order that you may do the same at Labez If
you discover that they refuse to obey write to the Governor and
he will give you a force to s?e that it is Executed. I am Sir,,
your very humble servant
~N. Boilvin
agent & Judge of the peace
Mr. Railiome
If you have any news from Maquinac let me know it.
Addressed: A Monsieur Hons Rehome magistrat a Labez verte
Favored by Mr. Roy
1815: DUTY ON FUR-TRADE MERCHANDISE
[Source, same as preceding document, but 3B44. Translated from
the French.]
MlCHILIMAKINAC Oct. 25, 1815.
My dear Sir — The present is to Inform that I had the
pleasure of seeing one of the desmoiselles Porlier at Montreal
who was very well and had much pleasure in hearing of you,.
44 Frangois Roy (or Le Roy) was a son of Joseph Roy, an early set-
tler of Green Bay. Having married Therese Lecuyer — whose father
had lived at the Fox-Wisconsin portage, where he was engaged in the
transportation business — Roy himself settled at the portage about the
beginning of the War of 1812-15. When Lockwood crossed in 1817,
he found Roy engaged in portaging with teams, and charging $10 for
each boat and fifty cents per hundred pounds for cargoes. Later, Roy
seems to have given up the transportation business for the fur-trade,
and had a home and trading house on the site where Fort Winnebago
was .built in after years. This location was purchased from him by
the federal government, whereupon he removed to Wisconsin River,
where he was living as late as 1831 — see Juliette A. Kinzie, Wau-
~bun; Wis. Hist. Colls., xiv, pp. 165, 166. Not long after this, Roy
removed to Green Lake, probably to the house of his son Pierre, who
was found there in 1840 by the first American settlers — see Wis.
Hist. Soc. Proc, 1909, p. 256. In 1856, Augustin Grignon had not
hoard of Roy's death. — Ed.
[ 396 ]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
as well as did the Messieurs Mailliot45 who charged me to pre-
sent to you their compliments. Mr. Rolette will give you the
letter I brought with me. As it is at present possible to Com-
municate with the Gentlemen in Illinois you will Much oblige
Me by writing to Monsieur Cabane or Monsieur Chenier46 on
the Subject of a letter of Exchange that your Sister has sent for
a, sum amounting to 1G5 Piastres. I have drawn by Monsieur
Boilvin On General Clarck, in My favor for a power to receive
the sum next year if possible.
My dear Sir, I am Charmed that you have had your Mer-
chandise started from the Post before the disembarkment of the
Americans47 here For you would have had to pay the duty
4-r> Jacques Porlier had two unmarried sisters, who at this time were
living in Vercheres, Canada. One of them, Louise, was his constant
correspondent. In a letter preserved in the Wisconsin Historical Li-
brary (Wisconsin MSS., 3B29), she mentions her proposed visit to
Montreal. Xavier and Frangois Victor Malhiot were Porlier's cousins,
and were likewise living at Vercheres. — Ed.
46 These were two prominent merchants of St. Louis. John P.
Cabanne, a native of Pau, France, emigrated first to New Orleans; but
owing to his participation in a duel he was obliged to leave that
place and settled (about 1804) at St. Louis. There he engaged in the
fur-trade as a partner of the Chouteaus, and made a fortune in tbat
business on the Missouri. For many years Cabanne was agent for
the American Fur Company at Council Bluffs, where (in 1832) he had
an affair with a rival trader, which caused him to return to St. Louis,
where he had married Julie Gratiot, and maintained a fine home. He
served as trustee (in 1806) for the village of St. Louis, and was in
other directions a public-spirited citizen, dying there in 1841.
Antoine Chenier, of Canadian origin (1768), first ventured in the
fur-trade in the neighborhood of Niagara. In 1796 he settled in St.
Louis, where he married Marie Therese Papin, niece of the elder
Chouteau. He owned much land and several buildings in old St.
Louis, having a fine brick house, whose hospitality was proverbial.
For his portrait see J. Thomas Scharf, History of St. Louis ( Phila-
delphia, 1883), p. 358 — Ed.
47 Col. Anthony Butler, of the United States army, headed an ex-
pedition which left Detroit early in July, 1815, in a fleet of four vessels,
he having been ordered to take formal possession of Mackinac. Having
arrived July 18, and performed the necessary ceremonies of taking over
[ 397 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
which is very high, as you may Judge, since it amounts to 31%
Per Cent of the Montreal Price.
However I doubt whether you are yet Secure, having heard
it said that the Collector received Instructions Three Days
ago that all the merchandise which is in the Interior before his
Arrival Would be Subject to the duties. I am happy to Inform
you however that your trade is arranged for in any Case. I
wish you Good Health and Much Success and Am awaiting your
news Your very humble Servant And friend
J. B. Berthelot
Monseir Jacques Porlier La Bay verte
Addressed: Jacques Porlier Esq. La Bay verte Favored by Mr. J.
Rolette.
Endorsed by Porlier: Berthelotte's letter 1815 recommendation of
a note drawn on General Clark and announcing the high Duty at
McKina
1815: ORDERS FROM ILLINOIS
[Source, same as preceding document, but 60B51. Translated from
the French.]
According to The orders that I have Received from Gover-
nor Ninian Edwards, Governor of the Territory of the Illinois
I have prohibited all Persons from carrying Liquors among
the Nations under pain of Undergoing the punishment that The
Law orders, and of being chased from the place if he is taken a
second time. No License can be Granted to sell it and no
Trader will be Permitted to conduct Trade who violates thi3
injunction, and in default of a White, a Respectable Savage
will be believed on his Declaration.
Pkebie dtj Chien Oct. 29, 1815
1ST. Boilvin-
agent and judge of the peace
Endorsed: Ninian Edwards at Kaost.
the post, Butler departed with the fleet, leaving Capt. Willoughby Mor-
gan in charge of the garrison. Morgan was (Aug. 31) superseded by
Maj. Talbot Chambers; see Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xvi, pp. 177,
191, 200.— Ed.
[ 398 ]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
1815: INDIAN AGENT AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "C," p. 289.]
Department of War, Decemr. 30th. 1815.
Sir — Mr. Jewett [ Jouett] has made an application to this de-
partment to exchange the agency of Green Bay for that of
Chicago. As his previous residence at the latter place has
given him a general knowledge of the Indians within that
agency, this exchange would he acceptable to the government,
provided you have no particular objection to it. The salary is
the same, and it is believed that the Agency at Green Bay is
the most eligible, and the one which you would have preferred.
Should you find it convenient to make this exchange, you
will advise Mr. Jewett, as well as this department of your de-
termination. I have the honor to be etc.
[George Graham
Chief Clerk]
Addressed: Col. John Bowyer, In. Agt. Detroit.
1816: PROHIBITION OF LIQUOR
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
60B53. Translated from the French.]
For the United States.
By order of Governor Ninian Edwards, he enjoins me to
post the notice at this place that all Traders and other citizens
must Conform to the Prohibition made not to sell or have sold
any Liquor to the Nations in any place whatsoever under pain
of suffering under the Law and of being driven from this Place.
Given and passed the Present, and put in force the eighth day of
February of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen
at la Baye verte.
Ch1cs. Reaume
Judge of the peace
By order of the Governor Ninian Edwards &c. at Kaost.
[ 399 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
[Source, same as preceding document, but 54B24. Translated from
the French.]
[written about 1816]
Charles Reaume, Esq.
The urgent Situation that our gentlemen at the Buttes des
Mortes are in with regard to the prohibition of rum, puts me to
the necessity of sending an express to secure your opinion as to
what they can do. Consider yourself that they cannot resist a
number of Savages resolved to go to extremes. We consider
ourselves authorized by the danger that they will incur to beg
you to lift that prohibition that came so late that our gentlemen
were not able to carry it out. We await your immediate reply
to transmit by the same express. You will notice, Sir, that
liquor having once been allowed among the Savages it is not
possible to restrain them from it, and that moreover there is not
force enough here to sustain such a regulation. We have the
honor to be with Consideration Your very humble Servants
Jacques Porlier
Ls. Grtgnox
John Lawe.
Addressed: Chls. Reaume Esq.
1816: TRADERS AT MILWAUKEE
[Source, same as preceding document, but 3B50. Translated from
the French.]
Milwaquis Feb. 25, 1816
Sir — After having made you my Compliments, if you will
accept them from me I promise you to assist my Cousin Jaque
Viaut48 From this Place as far as the Portage of Sturgeon Bay
4spor accounts of Jacques Vieau, the first permanent white set-
tler on the site of Milwaukee, see the interesting narratives of his
sons, Andrew J. and Peter J., in Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, pp. 281-225; xv,
pp. 458-469. A portrait of Andrew J. Vieau, in his twenty-first year,
by the well-known artist, George A. P. Healey, is given herewith. — Ed.
[400]
Andbew Jacques Vieau
il portrait (Detroit, 1839) by George A. P. Healy, in possession
of Wisconsin Historical Society
1
1815-1817J
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
for the amount of a Fifty pound sack of Flour, if you will send
it to me. I am sir your Very Humble Servant
James Michel Lepallieuk49
Addressed: Louis Grignon Bay Verte.
1816: BRITISH SUBJECTS IN WISCONSIN FUR-TRADE
[MS. in State Department, Washington. Bureau ot Rolls and Li-
brary. Ninian Edwards to Monroe.]
Kaskaskia Illinois Territory March 3, 1816
Sir — Supposing it probable that the peculiar situation of
this, and Missouri Territory, the extraordinary sensation ex-
-cited in consequence of the Presidents proclamation, directing
intruders upon public land to be removed by military force, and
the various representations that have been made upon that sub-
ject, may produce some relaxation, or alteration of that meas-
ure, I beg leave to mention to you one description of intruders
who are entitled to no favor, and against whom, the most rigid
execution of the proclamation is in my opinion recommended
by every dictate of policy in relation to the government, and of
justice to its citizens — I mean those British subjects who have
-settled themselves at the village of La Bay, which is situated
on Fox river, three miles above its confluence with Green Bay,
and at the village of Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi, At
both of which places, those intruders are not only engaged ex-
tensively in agriculture, but constantly carry on such an inter-
course with the Indians, as is prohibited to our best citizens.
These villages are within the acknowledged limits of this Ter-
ritory to the latter in particular, our laws have been specially
extended, and if it be true that a Foreigner while residing in
our country, and receiving its protection, owes a temporary al-
legiance to its Gov1, and an obedience to its laws, there can be
49 This is the clerk spoken of as "Mike le Petted" in Id., xi, 220,
226. Nothing is known of him, save his services for Vieau. See like-
wise Id., xv, p. 463. — Ed.
26 [ 401 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections jToi. xix
nothing more certain than, that all those persons have violated
the one, and infracted the other ; for they have all without ex-
ception, been actively, and efficiently engaged in the war
against us. They in fact constitute complete British establish-
ments, and in that light must be so considered by that Gov*,
from the circumstance of its having already remunerated them,
for one half of all the losses, which they sustained during the
war — Of which I have been informed both officially, and by
several of the individuals concerned. To permit them to re-
main under such circumstances, and to cultivate the lands from
which our own citizens are excluded, would be, not only to
cherish a set of unprincipled British spies, ever ready to com-
municate the measures of our gov1", and to defeat, as far as pos-
sible, its endeavours to maintain the relations of peace, and
friendly intercourse with the savages, but it would also continue
to them evident advantages, in the prosecution of the fur trade,
over our own traders.
Had it not been for the subsistence which their farms, and
mills enabled them to afford the Indians in the late war, it
would have been absolutely impossible to have rallied such a
number against us, as were engaged in the battles of Meigs5a
and other places, and therefore while the conduct of those people
entitles them to no favor, the admonitions of experience seem
to dictate precautions on our part, against the recurrence of
similar evils, the more especially as at this very time, the con-
duct of the Indians (if concuring reports from different parts
of their country can be relied upon) indicate great discontent,
and disaffection towards our Gov*. And although I am con-
vinced that we need never expect entire tranquility on our
frontiers, till some more efficient checks shall be imposed upon
the machinations of British traders, or agents, yet I am greatly
at a loss to comprehend the causes of the recent excitement,
which from the reports of our public agents, as well as others,
bo Fort Meigs was attacked May 1-5, 1813, by Gen. Henry Proctor,
heading a force of nearly 2000 Indians, a large proportion of whom
were from the region of Lake Michigan and the interior of Wiscon-
sin.— Ed.
["402 ]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
seems very strongly to have manifested itself simultaneously,
among several different Tribes, situated at distances very re-
mote from each other.
Should the British subjects that I have mentioned be re-
moved from the settlements they occupy, It might I think, be
advisable to permit (under proper restrictions) their places to be
supplied, by good American citizens, for the purpose of afford-
ing accomodation to our garrisons, to our traders, and to the In-
dians themselves. And indeed such a measure might be the
most effectual means, of guarding against those casualties, to
which the transportation of provisions to posts so remote from
the settled parts of our country, must necessarily be exposed
and of which we have heretofore had a monitory example in the
necessary abandonment and distruction of F* Madison.51
I discover from the newspapers, that a proposition has been
made in congress, to exclude British subjects from all trade
with the Indians within the limits of the United States, or those
Territories. In consequence of which, though I have no knowl-
edge whatever, of the views of the gov1 relative to that subject,
I beg leave to suggest it as my opinion that a law predicated upon
such an exclusion merely, without other auxilliary checks,
would not produce the slightest change in their trade, nor cor-
rect any part of the evils, which it would be intended to remedy.
The agents of the North West Company have long resided in
this country, and of course can be naturalized, at any moment
upon application to the competent Tribunal. Of which they
will most certainly avail themselves, in order that they may
carry on the same trade, and practise the same machinations in
the character of American citizens.
This policy on their part has already commenced, and to-
morrow one of the most distinguished of those gentlemen, will
make application to the superior court at this place to be nat-
uralized, that he may thereby be prepared for any change that
may take place. I would here with great pleasure present the
result of my own reflections as to the best means, or necessary
si See ante, p. 383, ndte 34. — Ed.
[403 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
expedients for correcting those evils & evasions, were I not
under some apprehensions, that this uninvited communication
may already be thought rather too obtrusive, and if that should
be the case I hope an apology for me, will be found, in the only
motives, by which I would possibly be influenced. I have the
honor to be With very great respect Sir Yr Mo Obd1 S*
Ninian Edwards
Hontye James Monroe Sec. of State.
Addressed: The Honble James Monroe Sec. of State Washington
City
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
3B52. Translated from the French.]
Michelimakinac Mar. 22, 1816
Dear Sir — The present is to Inform you that I received the
honor of your two last letters of the 22 and 28 of February,
and Should have been pleased to have sent you the hyson Tea
if I could have Found any. As I am expecting some from
Drummond Island,52 you will receive it by the Next Oppor-
tunity.
I Enquired about your Tobacco There are two Barrels that
Mr. Daniel Mitchel53 says he received for you without telling
me the Number of Livres.
The Express which we expected from Detroit having arrived
has brought me papers which announce a Treaty of Commerce
between England and America by which no British Subject has
the right to Trade with the Savages on the Territory of the
United States. I do not know what to think of this.
As you probably have been Informed Mr. Astor's Company
sent me at McKinac last fall 20000 Livres of Tobacco addressed
to Mr. Sam1. Abbot for the Trade of Next Year. You will
learn presently that the Company of the North has succumbed
52 For the British establishment on Drummond Island, see ante,
p. 146, note 94.— En.
58 a son of Madame Mitchell, described In Wis. Hist. Colls., xiv,
pp. 35-38.— Ed.
[ 404 ]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
to Them And that it is Mr. Rocheblave under the Name of the
Southwest Fur Company who has the money for it, Mr. Abbot
having received a letter from Mr. Astor and Mr. Rocheblave on
the Subject. Nothing more only wishing you Good Health and
good Business. I am awaiting your reply, Sir, Your very
humble and obedient servant and friend
J. B. Berthelot
Mr. Louis Grignon, La Baye Verte.
"N. B. If I can procure for you by any Opportunity one of
your Barrels of Tobacco, I will do it.
Addressed: Monsr Louis Grignon La Baye verte.
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "C," p. 344. Wm. H. Crawford to Gov. Cass and Indian
Agents.]
Department of War, 10th. May, 1816.
Sir — I have the honor of transmitting to you the copy of
an act of Congress, passed on the 29th. of April last, intended
to subject the right of foreign merchants, to trade with the In-
dian tribes within the limits of the United States, to the abso-
lute control of the President.54 It is deemed expedient that
the power vested in the President by this act, shall be exer-
cised with a view to secure to our savage neighbors a regular
supply of those articles, which their wants and habits have
rendered indispensable. This supply must be furnished by 'J»e
government, by the individual enterprize of American citizens,
or by foreigners. The fund hitherto employed by the govern-
ment for this object is wholly incompetent for this supplj.
The tribes which have been usually supplied by the traders in
the employ of the Xorth West Company, reside far in the in-
54 Act of 14th Cong., 1st sess., chap. clxv. Section one thereof forbids
licenses for the Indian trade to any but United States citizens, save
at the direction of the president. The following sections provide
severe penalties for violations. The purpose of the act is set forth iu
this letter of Crawford. — Ed.
[ 405 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
terior to the North and to the West, and, as is generally under-
stood, have had but little intercourse with our trading establish-
ments, and have seldom, if ever, been visited by our licensed
traders. It is therefore wholly improbable that the enterprize
of American citizens will furnish an adequate supply to those
remote tribes. The want of Capital in the hands of men accus-
tomed to the trade, and who have enterprize to bear the fatigues,
and brave the dangers incident to its prosecution, will, it is be-
lieved, render it necessary for the present to permit foreigners
to carry on this trade, under such regulations as shall subject
them to a strict observance of the laws of the United States upon
this subject; secure their exertions in maintaining peace be-
tween the Indian tribes, and this government, and between
themselves; and present additional inducements to respect
the laws against smuggling. The more effectually to secure
these results, the President has judged it expedient to vest in
the Governor of the Michigan territory, and in the agents for
Indian affairs at Michilimackinac, Green Bay, and Chicago, the
exclusive right of granting licenses to foreigners to carry on
this trade. In the execution of this trust, you will necessarily
enquire into the character of those who apply for permission to
embark in this commerce. Where the character of the appli-
cant shall not be above suspicion, a license must be refused.
The charge of having been concerned in smuggling supported
by colourable evidence of its truth, will be a sufficient cause for
a like refusal. Licenses when granted are to be revoked for any
of the causes which would justify their refusal in the first in-
stance. Previous to the delivery of any license, the applicant
shall give bond and security in a sum equal to one fourth of the
capital which he shall state upon oath, he intends to embark in
the trade, which shall be forfeited to the use of the United
States, upon the violation of the laws of the United States regu •
lating trade with the Indian tribes. He shall at the same time
give the description of the persons he intends to employ in the
prosecution of his business. When any application for a li-
cense shall be refused, immediate notice of such refusal, and
the grounds upon which it was made, shall be given to the agenta
[ 406]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
to whom the execution of this law is specially entrusted by the
President. It shall be the duty of the officer granting any li-
cense to give immediate notice to this department, to the Indian
agents, the collectors of the customs, and to the commanding
officers of posts and stations in and adjoining the Indian coun-
try, upon whom the execution of the act in question can, in any
degree, possibly devolve. This notice shall contain the des-
cription of the person, his place of residence, and the amount 0/
the capital which he intends to employ, and the number, names,
and description of the persons, who will be employed in the
transaction of his business with Indians.
Copies of the several acts regulating trade with the Indian
tribes are forwarded, to be given to the persons to whom li-
censes shall be granted for the regulation of their conduct. I
have the honor to be etc.
Wm. H. Crawford.
P. S. In communicating with this department, it is ex-
pected that the changes in the present system suggested by
experience, will, from time to time, be presented, with a view
to render it as perfect as the subject will permit.
W. H. C.
Endorsed: Lewis Cass, Gov. of Michigan Territory. Major Wm. H.
Puthuff, I. Agt. Michilimackmac.53 Charles Jouett, I. Agt. Chicago.
John Bowyer, I. Agt. Green Bay.
Maj. William Henry Puthuff was a native of Virginia, probably
from Albemarle County. Having removed to Ohio, he enlisted (1812)
as a volunteer, but was (May 20, 1813) made captain in the 26th in-
fantry of the regular army. In February, 1814, he was promoted to
a majority in the 2nd rifle regiment, being employed in the neighbor-
hood of Detroit, where in the summer of 1815 he was in command, and
received the thanks of the citizens for his spirited enforcement of
their rights — see Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., viii, p. 655. Having
been honorably discharged from the army, at the reduction of its
force, he was given an Indian agency and stationed at Mackinac,
where he arrived in the late summer, or early autumn, of 1815. Ha
was particularly suspicious of British influence, and his reports are
stigmatized as untrue in the letters of the officers of Drummoud
Island — see Id., xvi, pp. 369-401. He entered upon his duties with
[407]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 204.]
Michillimackinac Agency 14th. May 1816
Dr. Sir — Discovering no provision to have been made for
the supplying the post of Michillimackinac with goods destined
for Indian Presents, or annuity's, Farming utensils, Mechan-
icks or agriculturalists for the promotion and encouragement of
domestick pursuits, Industry and civilization among the neigh-
bouring tribes of Indians, I hope I may be indulged in a few
remarks on, what I conceive to be, the relative importance of
that Post, and the necessity for the immediate attention of Gov-
ernment to so highly an interesting object.
In my communications, made to your Excellency upon the
subject last autumn, I endeavoured to explain the British policy
in their intercourse with the Indians living within the American
limits say, in the neighbourhood of Michillimackinac, Chicago,
Green Bay, Seaux St. Mary's, Lake Superior, etc.
It is a fact well known to your Excellency, that St. Joseph's
now Drummond's Island, Is, and for many years has been, the
grand depository for the receipt and distribution of most ex-
tensive annuities or Presents which the British Government
have Semi-annually destributed with a liberal hand, to all who
could be induced to attend, acknowledge the Supremicy of that
Government, Pledge themselves to bring their furs to that place,
or sell or trade them to none but British subjects etc., this
Post is also the head Quarters of a vigorous, active, Enterpris-
ing, well informed and most Politick and designing company,
who have long and almost Exclusively monopolized the trade of
the North west. It is from thence that well instructed unprin-
cipled agents are, and constantly have been, Employed and
sent out among the many tribes of savages that inhabit the ex-
great zeal, and was president of the village (1817-21, 1823), justice
of the county court (1818), and probate judge. In 1818, he was re-
lieved from duties as an Indian agent, hut continued to reside at
Mackinac, where in 1822 Henry S. Baird found him exercising kindly
hospitality — see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, p. 429. His death occurred
Nov. 24, probably of the year 1823. — Ed.
[ 408]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
tensive Western and N. Western regions within the limits of
the American Government, upon the Lakes Superior and Michi-
gan and the head waters of the Mississippi and its tributary
Streams, with small out-fits to give them the pretext and ap-
pearance of Indian traders This fact is clearly proven, and
has been, as I conceive unquivocally established in the late war,
when it was found to be, and is, an undeniable fact, that a
very great proportion of those who were employed in trade
within our limits prior to and at the commencement of the
war, immediately thereafter were found to hold commissions
under the British Government, and were found to be our most
active inviterite and most dangerous Enemies.
The circumstances have drawn numerous hoards of savages
from their respective hunting grounds, yearly to the Islands of
St. Josephs and Michillimackinac for the purpose of hearing
their Father in council, receiving their presents, disposing of
their Furs, etc. etc.
The importance of supplying the post of Michillimackinac
with the means of counteracting the effects resulting from the
practise of the aforementioned policy, appears to me to be of
the [utmost] necessity, to effect this desirable object it will
require the most active and vigilent attention of Government.
The object and policy of the British Government in their
Indian relations cannot be mistaken, It has but one Primary
motive, one leading principle, one great and never to be for-
gotten design. It always has been thus actuated and Influenced,
to alienate the Indians from the American Government and
people, to attach them to the British Interests by every and by
any the most insidious means.
To effect this purpose the hopes, the Fears, the ignoranc0,
interest and cupidity of the unfortunate deluded savage, is
most adroitly enlisted on the part of these politicians who what-
ever may be their professions, never loose sight of their favourite
object, and in my opinion should be most narrowly watch'd and
closely pursued throughout every the most distant ramifications
of their trade or intercourse with the Indians residing within
the limits of the American Government
[ 409 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
I am led Sir, to make these remarks from what has come to
my knowledge of the character and conduct of the British Of-
ficer (Lt. Col. McDowell) commanding at I>rummonds Island,
and the Indian department there, from the pretty evident agency
of certain British subjects (Mitchell and others),56 living upon
the Island of Michillimackinac, from certain highly suspicious
persons, British pensioners, Interpreters and Commissioned
Officers in their Indian Department, having actually carac-
within our limits, and under the pretence of trading with the
Indians, have destributed themselves throughout the Indian
Country, and from a solemn conviction of the fruth of the alle-
gations which I have from a since of justice and duty to my
Country taken the liberty thus to advance.
I am fully persuaded however that the result of the late war
has effected a most fortunate and sensible change [in] the attach-
ment and prejudices of the Indians toward the British Govern-
ment and people, of this the British are perfectly sensible, and
to restore and mantain their wonted influence, will leave no
means in their power unattempted. previous to and at the
commencement of the war the Indians as an additional motive
whereby to induce their decided attachment, were promised
the restoration of all that Country West and North west of the
River Ohio then held by the American Government, to be put
and left in the possession of all the Military posts within that
extensive Country. The universal and undisturb'd Masacre,
Plunder and Pillage of all its then Inhabitants The undis-
turbed occupancy of that country and enjoyments of its spoils,
with a life of savage ease and Independance and a spontanious
influx of goods, Ammunition, Arms, Provisions, Rum and To-
bacco, to [be] effected and furnished by British power and
munificence.
This and much more has been practised and promised by the
agents employed on the part of the British Government.
•r>« An acrimonious correspondence arose in the autumn of 1815 over
the treatment of the Mitchells by the American soldiers and Indian
officers; see Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xvi, pp. 298-401. — Ed.
[410]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Prophets, Jnglars, and persons professing to have supernatural
powers and agency, have been imposed upon that deluded peo-
ple and openly supported employed and used by that Govern-
ment. Specious promises, Diabolical means ; all have failed,
the war has been terminated, and how differently from the
promises held out to and consequent expectations of the savages.
The Indians have been deceived, grossly deceived. They have
'been deeply injured and imposed upon, they are sensible of it,
they are mortified, disgusted and humbled, their eyes are opened
to the base frauds which have been practised upon them by the
British, nor will it be difficult, in my opinion by the practise of
that humane candid and liberal policy which has ever char-
acterised the American Government, to convince them of the[ir]
true interests, and induce them to return to the peaceful pur-
suits of the chase and cultivation of their corn fields. They are
sensible of the many and disastrous evils which they have suf-
fered from a different line of conduct and are well disposed to
return to their former habits of amity, friendship and trade
with us, to take us by the hand, hold us fast and set themselves
•down under the protection of their great Father, the President
of the United States.
Indulge me Sir, in urging to the consideration of Govern-
ment the necessity for cultivating the present amicable disposi-
tion of the Indians in this section of the country, and vigilently
•counteracting the secret Machinations of the British agency,
which, you may rest assured Sir, will be pratis'd to the utmost
extent of their powers, in order to restore and maintain their
wonted influence over that people. Their system has been
already commenced and is in full operation, their agents have
already gone into our Country, in the character of traders
when the Indians shall see those who, during the late war, gave
direction to their ruthless Tommahawks, and applauded the
effects of their reeking scalping knives who openly encourag'd
the waste of Blood, and received from their hands, with plaudits
and rewards, the scalp fresh torn, alike from the hapless Father,
defenceless tender and affectionate Mother, or innocent unof-
fending Babe, I repeat Sir, when the Indians shall see these
[ 411 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
people again sent and stationed among them, when they shall
be told by them, that they are the only persons Enabled to sup-
ply the Indian wants, that were [it] not for them they the
Indians would perish. That the Americans know it and dare
not prevent their coming, That their British father, who sits
upon the great waters, has taken pity on them and sent them
goods etc. etc. when they see and hear this and much very much
more, what effect may it not be presumed to have upon their un-
enlightened Minds, unless some discretionary power be extended
to the agent, whereby to enable him to distinguish between the
unprincipled blood thirsty assissin and the fair, honest, and
Legal dealer who claim from him a license to trade with the
Indians. It will be very difficult, or rather impossible to pre-
vent or effectually counteract the influence, and effects of that
policy, which ever has been and I do verily believe is now and
will continue to be practised by the British in their intercourse
with the Indians living within the American limits.
Michillimackinac for the reasons already assigned and from
the additional circumstances of almost all the principle Indiana
from the Lakes Superior and Michigan, attending at [this] post
in the course of each Summer, and that few or none of the
Ottaways, or Chippeways, who reside near that post ever visit
either of the other Agencies, Is in my opinion a post which re-
quires the particular attention of Government.
The Ottaways residing at the River Shaboigan [Cheboy-
gan] 3 Leagues [away] Lower and upper Larbre croche about
15 Leagues and at the Beaver Islands and Grand Traverse
about 20 Leagues from Michillimackinac have progressed con-
siderably in the arts of agriculture, their villages are populous
and well setled they are supposed to dispose of about Twelve
thousand bushels of corn and as many bushels of Irish potatoes
per annum at the Island of Michillimackinac and the British
post. Their corn is purchased principally for the use of the
North west fur trade, with little encouragement they might be
induced to locate themselves and much increase their agricul-
tural labours, already do they supply our Market with consider-
able quantities of vegetables Cabbages, Turnips, Pumpkins,.
[412]
I8i5-i8i7j Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Squashes, Cucumbers, Melons etc. etc., some of their chiefs have
applied to me for cows, Hogs, Fowls, etc. etc. to be furnished
them by their father the President of the U. States, For a
blacksmith to make the repair their farming utensils, Traps,
guns etc. etc and that he will instruct them to build houses and
live as we whites live. I have promised them an answer from
their great Father before the setting in of the next frosts. They
have requested me to say to him that they used to draw those
supplies from the red Coats, that the red Coats have told them
lies, have deceived them, and that they will no more believe
the red coats. They wish to settle down and make the road
clear to Michillimackinac and hope their father will take pity
upon them and supply their wants. I have the honour to Sub-
scribe myself Your Excellency's mo. obt. hble. Servt.
Wm. IIy. Puthuff
Ind. Agt. Mackinaw.
His Excellency Lewis Cass Gov. Michigan Ty. etc. etc.
1816: AGENTS OF THE SOUTHWEST AND AMERICAN FUR
COMPANIES
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
3B61.]
Montreal 15th May 1816
Mr. J. Porlier
Sir — We received your Letter of 16th July, and Mr. Roche-
blave paid us Three hundred and ten pounds as you will see by
the inclosed statement whereby you will find that the balance
of the composition up to ,1st October next, will be Pour hun-
dred and five pounds lsh Currency.
It will afford us much pleasure to learn that you have been
fortunate in Returns this season. We thank you for the prefer-
ance given to Mr. Rocheblave in taking Goods from him, and
are persuaded that he will allow you good prices for your
Peltries. Muskrats however have greatly depreciated being
scarcely worth half what they were. Beaver has also fallen off,
t 413 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
and Swanskins fallen off, almost to nothing. Other articles
have done well owing to the very small quantities at market.
We shall forever regret that at the late Treaty of peace more
favorable terms had not been procured for the Indians. What
the Americans may finally decide about the Indian Trade is
unknown, as we do not perceive that any act has passed thereon
at the last Session of Congress.
Mr. Rocheblave goes up again with Goods, and we hope will
continue to have your Custom, but the excessive duties will
now be a sad burthen to the Trade. We remain, Your most
Obed* Servants
Forsyth Richardson & Co.
Endorsed by Porlier: 1816 Forsyth Richardson's letter acknowl-
edging the receipt of a certain sum.
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "C," p. 374.]
Department of War, June 5th. 1816.
Sir — Mr. John Jacob Astor, of New- York, has engaged ex-
tensively in the Indian trade, and has appointed Mr. Varnum,
Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Ramsay Crooks,57 his agents. I am
directed by the Secretary of War to request, that you will give
to these gentlemen every possible facility and aid in the prose-
cution of their business, that may be compatible with your pub-
lic duties. I have the honor to be, etc.
[George Graham, chief clerk]
Addressed: Commanding officer at Michillimackinac, and to Wm.
H. Puthuff, Indian agent at the same place.
57 Joseph B. Varnum, for whom see ante, p. 326, note 69; for Ram-
say Crooks, see ante, p. 347, note 91.
William W. Matthews enlisted in the Astorian enterprise as clerk,
and went out to the Columbia River on the "Tonquin." While at
Astoria he married the daughter of a Clatsop chief, and after the
transfer of Astoria to the North West Company remained in the
country until 1815. Coming back to New York, he entered Astor's
service, becoming the forwarding agent at Montreal. — Ed.
[414]
I8i5-i8i7j Fur-trade in Wisconsin
1816: SEIZURE OF FURS
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 225. j
Michillimackinac June 6th. 1816.
D[ear] Sir — I arrived on here on the evening of the 4th.
inst. after a most tedions passage.
On my arrival I found every circumstance relating to my
Agency in such state as to most imperiously require my pres-
ence. Such has been and yet is my extreme hurry of business
as to preclude the possibility of furnishing you, by the Perry
now about to get under way, with particulars. I can only ob-
serve that Lesley is in custody, his examination commenced
yesterday and will require one or two days to complete. I
have taken possession of twelve or fifteen thousand dollars
worth of furs and goods on their way from the Indian Country
to Drummonds Island which has been procured Contrary to the
laws of fehe United States regulating trade and Intercourse with
the Indians.
Two hundred and fifty two Fullsawwynyes [Folles Avoines :
Menominee] were here on my arrival they are well disposed to-
wards us.
As the vessel is weighing Anchor I hope you will pardon my
not furnishing you a more circumstancial report until the next
opportunity. I am Sir, Your most Obedt. Hble. Servt.
W. H. PUTHUFF
Ind. Ag. Mackinaw
His Excellency L. Cass Governor etc.
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
3B65. Translated from the French.]
Mackinac 20th June, 1816.
My dear Friend — This is the third time I have had the
pleasure of writing you without however hoping that my letters
have reached you. I have nothing very agreeable of which to
inform you, on the contrarv the vexations and troubles that
*[ 415 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
await you here make me almost regret having given you the
first advice, especially when I have no means of preventing
them — as soon as people arrive here they are seized; at least
their returns [in peltry] are, and I assure you it is not with-
out trouble that matters are arranged, and possession is gotten
with cautions about coming up. The law suit should begin at
Detroit next September and God only knows how it will result.
These seizures are made under pretext that the Packs have been
secured by trading without a License etc.58 I say nothing
more about it only that I believe it is almost impossible that
you should Save your Packs (I suppose that you will carry
them elsewhere than here) the avenues being too well guarded.
I believe that it will be better to bring them here and run the
risk of a Law suit, than to run that of a seizure in trying to
elude them. Moreover that will be the final result (if one
should escape them) for a person who wishes to remain some
time in this Country. I tell you this, but am far from be-
lieving you have need of my advice.
Take the precautions to put your Merchandise in a secure
place if you have any, for fear of some domiciliary visits, and
come as soon as possible to join one who is very sincerely Your
Friend
Pr. RoCHEBLAVE
Jacques Porlier Esq.
Endorsed by Porlier: 1816 letter of Rocheblave reporting the diffi-
culties of arriving at Makinac.
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1B36. Translated from
the French.]
Makinac 20th June 1816
Dear Sir. — This is the third [letter] that I have addressed
you without hoping that the other 2 reached you.
All your Packs were seized before arriving and it is only
with great trouble that we have been able to recover them in
M On this point see the report of the British commandant at Drum-
mond Island, in Mich. Pion. and Hist. Colls., xvi, p. 465. — Ed.
[416]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
giving security for the value of the Peltries. These proceed-
ings have taken place they say, because these people have had
no license to trade with the Savages. The suit to decide the
validity of these seizures will be tried in Detroit next Septem-
ber.
I believe that you would better come here immediately with
your Packs and run the risk of a suit at law, rather than run
the risk of a seizure at your place where they would pass the
winter. If you have any merchandise you would better put
it in a place of safety for fear of a visit. I give this as my
opinion, but do not pretend to advise as to what is best. Hop-
ing to see you I sign myself Sincerely, dear Sir Your very
Humble Servant
[Pierre Rocheblave]59
Addressed: For Mr Louis Grignon, Green Bay.
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 239. William Henry Puthuff to Governor
Lewis Cass.]
Michillimackinac 20th. June 1816
Dr. Sir — By return of the vessel Com. Perry, I gave you
a hurried account of the situation of the agency here, my busi-
ness has continued on the increase and kept me insessantly em-
ployed, on the 17 inst. I met 39 Ottaways from Green Bay 202
Chippeways from Lake Michigan, 584 Fallsawynes from Green
Bay and its dependencies, ,T67 Wynabagoes from Green Bay or
near that place and 141 Sieux from the Neighbourhood of
Praire du Chene in Council the pipe of peace was presented to
the Orators of each tribe or nation respectively in the name of
their nations and on behalf of the whole collectively.
The council opened on the part of the Pallsawyne by Toman
their principal chief who professed on behalf of his tribe and
the whole present, the most amicable sentiments and feelings
s&The signature in the original document has been destroyed; but
the letter is in the same handwriting as the preceding one. — Ed.
27 [ 417 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
toward us, and asked that we would send them traders to re-
side among and with them. Charged the British with having
induced them to embark in the late war, expressed his regret
at having done so, and observed that he was now going [to] tell
them so and demand his discharge from them, that he had now
done with them and would never again quit his great father
the President of the United States, he was followed by Ech
Chaguin a young man so called, or private Orator for the
Wynnebagoes a tribe of about 770 warriors living principally
near Praire du Chene and between there and Green Bay, who
expressed the same wish in relation to the sending traders
among them, but expressed no determined resolution to abandon
the British acknowledged no wrong at the part of his people
in the part they had taken during the late war nor made any
promises or professions other than a wish to remain at peace
and never again raise the Tomahawk. The Chippeway's ex-
pressed the same sentiments which had been advanced by the
Falls-awynes, and the Sieux closed the council by a restoration
of the sentiments, wishes, Professions and acknowledgements
of the Falls and Chippeway's. I assured them that their
Great Father the President of the United States, would com-
ply with their request in sending traders among them, receive
them under his protection and attend to their real wants etc.
etc.
The Wynebagoes have no doubt many among them who are
disaffected towards us, and cannot in my opinion be rely' J
further than their weakness and want of support from the
neighbouring tribes will justify. The Fallsawynes or a very
decided majority of them, are decidedly favourably disposed to
the Establishment of an American post at Green Bay, so are
the Chippeways and Ottaway's in the vicinity of that place.
This day I have met in Council the Chiefs and head men of
the Ottaways and Chippeways within my immediate agency,
or near this Post. They have in the name of their respective
tribes declared openly their determination forever to abandon
the British Interest, have taken their American father by the
hand, and have declared the determination never again to
[418]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
abandon us have acknowledged their error in having listened
to other councils, stated that they were forced to take up the
Tomahawk, were promised much and much disappointed, asked
permission occasionally to visit Drummonds Island for the
purpose of collecting their dues, and in a word, promised to con-
form strictly to our wishes in all things, and asked for advice,
and orders. My answer was to assure them of our sincerity
and the promises of protection we had accorded them, in the
forgiveness of the past and necessity for their careful ob-
servance of their promises and professions for the future, this
they most solemnly promised and pledged themselves it should
be comply' d with.
I am sincerely of the opinion that no good grounds for a
doubt of the sincerity of their professions exists, I think I can
venture to pledge myself for them, that so long as a respectable
force shall be kept at this post, they will decidedly adhere to us.
I must beg leave again to repeat that they have been grossly
deceived, they are sensible of it, and well disposed to return to
their former habits of intimacy and friendship with us.
The issues here for the Indian Department have as will be
seen by the subjoined report of Indians visiting this Post, far
exceeded my expectation. I have been and shall continue to be
as economical on that subject as possible. Many of the In-
dians from Lake Superior and its tributary streams may be
expected to visit this Post shortly, several Canoes have this
moment arrived, who report that many more may be immedi-
ately expected.
I expect to meet them collectively in Council in one or two
days, the Potawatomies and neighbouring Indians from
Chicagou and its vicinity will it is said soon visit us, by the
next vessel I expect to be enabled to give you a particular ac-
count of their profession and requests, which I am inclined to
believe will be similar to those of the FallsaWynes, Chippeways
and Sieux. the Wynibagoes I am fully persuaded are the
most hostile towards us of any tribes in this district of Country,
and are encouraged in that hostility of feeling and disposition
toward us, by certain traders Roulette, Grinois etc. who are
[419]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
now at the Green bay. I have good grounds for advancing
this opinion and hope to succeed in arresting these fellows, who
will be held to account for their ungenerous, Illiberal and Hos-
tile conduct to an injured Country, who has but too long cher-
ished reptiles of their description in its bosom in the character
of traders, they will not easily escape the vigilence of this post.
4 Boats are almost constantly manned and cruising here for
the purpose of intercepting all Boats, Canoes or other con-
veyances for Furs obtained without License in the Indian Coun-
try, my information on the subject of that trade, is general.
I am already apprized of every Trader who has thus gone
into the Country and their place of trade, and the place where
their Furs have been collected and probable time that they may
be expected at the Foot of Lake Michigan. Colonel Cham-
ber's60 exertions to arrest them is unremitting, nor will any
of them in my opinion be enabled to escape, the subjoined list
of seizures made here, will inform you of our vigilence, the
mode I have adopted, at the request of the respective owners,
in releasing Goods, Wares and Merchandize thus seized, as
will appear by Bonds herewith transmitted, will, I hope meet
your approbation I was induced to adopt this mode from a be-
lief that no injury would or could arise to the Country there-
from, and from a belief that the manner in which I have
drawn up the Bonds (a copy of which I furnished Mr. Abbott —
Notary Public and who has been employed to draw them up
and have them signed pursuant to that Copy) will obviate any
difficulty that might otherwise have arisen from the want of
a regular process in releasing the goods so seized on this subject
I wish for your opinion and advice by the first Opportunity.
«<>Col. Talbot Chambers, of the rifle regiment. His military his-
tory is given in detail in Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, p. 393. In August, 1815,
he was sent to command at Mackinac; the next July he accompanied
the military expedition to Green Bay, and was during the winter left
in command at Fort Howard. Early in 1817, Chambers was trans-
ferred to Prairie du Chien, where his tyrannies are related in Id., ii,
pp. 128, 129. His later history is told by Shaw, pp. 229, 230; see
also his letters, post. — Ed.
[ 420 ]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
a Lashley has been arrested and is now in confinement here
*° he has requested permission to remain for a short time for the
purpose of settling his Business here, in which request I have
indulged him, he will be sent down probably in the next vessel
for his trial. ^
John Dousman,61 who has determined on remaining here. has
consented to command the company of Militia to be organized
at this place, may I ask that you will forward his commission
by the first Opportunity.
The Indians who have lately attended here in Council from
Green Bay, Praire du Chene etc., are now at Drummonds
Island they have promised to call on their return and report
what shall be said to them there, how sincere they may be in
this promise, or how far their reports may be relied upon, is,
perhaps in some degree doubtfull, Yet I am inclined to be-
lieve much important information may be collected from them.
A party [of] Wynebagoes who had left this Post from [for]
Drummonds Island the day or two previous to my arrival, have
since returned here and proceeded on to their Summer resi-
dence near the Green Bay. They report that the British de-
tained one Canoe of their Young Men, until they should hear
from the King, when these young men, so detained are to re-
turn to their nation with the news. Many of the traders have
been extremely active in the Chicago and Green Bay Coun-
tries, in souring the minds of the Indians, encouraging the dis-
affected, exciting their fears and preparing them to oppose the
establishment of American posts at for one year longer in their
Country.
6i John Dousman was of Pennsylvania birth, and came West some
time before 1808, being engaged as an army sutler. He lived for
some time at Green Bay, married Rosalie Laborde, daughter of a
resident of that place, and had much property there. Some time
during the War of 1812-15, he removed to Mackinac, and seems to
have remained on the island until about 1824, when he returned with
his family to Green Bay. He was (in 1818) associate justice of the
Mackinac county court, and his affidavits for the Green Bay land
claims were made at the former place. See account of his return to*
Green Bay, in Wis. Hist. Colls., xv, pp. 211, 212. — Ed.
T4211
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol xix
The Wynebago Orator Ech-cha-gun made this rr-quest in
private council, he stated that though his chiefs would not per-
mit him to do so in Public, yet that it was their real sentiments
and that they would have asked or made the same request in
Public, had they not feared a refusal, and that their father
would be angry at them for doing so.
His reasons were that many of his Young Men were dissatis -
fied and might strike our young men if they came among them
too soon, that by the next summer his Young men could be
reconcil'd and there would then be no danger to be apprehended
from them. That their Chiefs and great men were sincere in
their professions of friendship towards us, that they had used
every means in their power to satisfy and quiet their young
men, but had not as yet entirely succeeded, but by the next
summer he had no doubt, they would be enabled to quiet them
and therefore asked his great Father the President not to send
his soldiers among them until the next summer. Shortly after
this request had been thus made, many of the same tribe, who
had received information of its nature and my Answer, called
upon me to request that I would pay no attention to their
Orator, that he was himself one of the most disaffected among
them and had with many others endeavoured to form a Coali-
tion of all the Indians in that district of country against us but
had failed, as not a single nation even their own the Wyneba-
goes, would consent to it or agree again to raise the Toma-
hawk they were tired of the War and sincerely wished for
peace, that there were some among them hostile toward us but
that it was only a few who would not dare to acknowledge their
hostility when we did come among them. The small party wbo
left this previous to my coming 30 or 40 in number, made the
same request in council with Col. Chambers, from these differ-
ent and conflicting accounts, little doubt exists of the un-
friendly disposition of a part of this tribe at least, how far it
may or will be evinced by their conduct on the establishment of
a Milty. post at Green Bay, I am not prepared to venture a
decided opinion, but am inclined to the belief that a respectable
Military force will, the moment it appears among them, Quiet
[ 422]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
all murmering and produce the most happy effects in restoring
an amicable intercourse between those Indians and our Govern-
ment and People. They have been told by the restless un-
principalled traders who are yet with them, that it was the in-
tention of our Government to take the lands from them and
drive them still farther back upon the extensive Wilderness be-
tween them and Pacific Ocean. That we were determined to
take their fur, skins etc. for a mere nothing and a thousand re-
ports have been industrious circulated among them by the rest-
less and designing men. at Drummonds Island the Indians
are informed that presents cannot as Yet be made them to a
large amount because of the determination of the American
Government to prevent British Traders from living or residing
with the Indians, and thus deprived of their best friends and
natural protectors, the Americans will rob them of any valuable
presents which they should receive.
I mentioned these reports merely to shew the spirit which
is so industriously attempted to be raised and encouraged on
the part of individuals attached to the British Government,
among the Indians, there is no reason however to believe that
any serious evil will grow out of this mode of procedure, as
the Indians openly profess to believe it only calculated to
evade the promises made them by that Government and call
them Liars.
I have seen a letter addressed by J. J. Astor to a Mr. Franks
a British trader now at this place in which Mr. Astor expresses
surprise and regret at the passage of a law forbidding British
subjects from trading with Indians, within the American
limits etc. but observes that power is vested in the President to
grant special license for that purpose and that he Astor has
dispatched a messenger to the President from whom he enter-
tains no doubt that some may be procured and will be imme-
diately forwarded to Mr. Franks and Mr. Astor's friends in
the North west trade. I wish to god the President knew this
man Astor as well as he is known here. Licenses would not
be placed at his descretion to be distributed among British sub-
jects, Agents or Pensioners. I hope in god no such license will
[ 423 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
be granted, his British Friends here calculate confident on his
success in this matter, that they may be disappointed is my
most sincere wish, should they succeed incalculable evil will
assuredly grow out of the measure.
I am Sir, Your most obt. and Hble. Servt.
Wm. Heny. Puthuff
Ind. Agent Michillimackin[ac]
His Excellency L. Cass Gov. of M. Ty. etc.
The within despatch have been made up under the greatest
possible pressure of business. Errors will T hope be excused.
1816: TROOPS AT PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 112, p. 138.]
Peairie du Chien 23d June 1816
Sir — On the 20th the United States Troops arrived bere
commanded by Brigd. General Thomas A. Smith and accom-
panyed by Major Graham Indian Agent for the Territory of
Illinoise,62 on the 21st they commenced regulating the village
62 Thomas A. Smith, of Virginia birth, enlisted in the regular army
in 1803 as lieutenant in the artillery service. In 1808 he was pro-
moted to a captaincy in the rifles, and became successively lieuten-
ant-colonel and colonel of the same regiment. In 1814 he was brev-
etted brigadier-general, and served on the Lake Champlain frontier.
After taking possession of Prairie du Chien, he retired, leaving a
detachment, and in 1818 resigned from active service in the army.
Richard Graham was born in Virginia, but in early life emigrated
to Kentucky, whence he entered the United States army (in 1801) ,
serving through the regular grades until honorably discharged at the
reduction of 1815. The same year, he was appointed Indian agent
for Illinois, and assisted at the treaties of St. Louis, in the summers
of 1817 and 1818. Later, he was transferred to the Osage agency,
and in that capacity drew the treaty of 1822 with that nation. In
1825 he was transferred to the agency for the Delaware, Shawnee, and
Kickapoo of Missouri, which he maintained until about 1828. Hiff
residence was principally at St. Louis, and there for his second wife,
he married Catharine Mullanphy. He seems to have been an efficient
and active agent.— Ed.
[ 424]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
by requireing of the Traders here to show their Licences,
those who had not any, their goods were seized, your goods came
under the Seizesure. They have taken possession of some
Houses, Condemning them for public purposes. Those I live
in are Seized and turned over to me for the United States In-
dian trading houses, forbidding me at the same time to pay no
rent for them after that date. Thus you find how things are
changed. Charges have been brought from St Louis against
Mr M Brisbois he is arrested & will be sent to St Louis for
Trial,63 perhaps others here will accompany him. Mr Henery
can inform you more particulary should you not return write
me. in haist I remain your Hbl Svt
Jno W Johnson
USA
Mr Francis Bouthilier now at Mackinacks*
1816: LICENSES FOR FOREIGNERS
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Of-
fice Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 271.]
Michillimackinac 12th. July 1816
Dr. Sir — In addition to the points on which I have felt my-
self bound to obtain your instructions before I should proceed
farther, in relation to Indian Trade etc. as will appear from
my former communications on that subject, many new and em-
barrassing principles have since arisen, from the nature and
intention of the instructions from the Department of War of
the 10th, of May 1816 combined with the very limited informa-
tion I am in the possession of relating to that extensive District
of Country West of the Mississippi River and above Praire du
chien, embracing the Sieux etc. etc. etc.
How far that district of Country may be supplied with
For this incident see Wis. Hist. Colls., ii, p. 128, ix, p. 284. Bris-
bois is noted ante, p. 318, note 56. He had accepted an American com-
mission before the war, and was thus liable to punishment. — Ed.
64 For this person see Id., xviii, p. 463, note 85. — Ed.
[ 425 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [vol. xix
goods by American Citizens I am wholly uninformed. The
South West Company have been in the habit of sending ex-
tensive supplies of goods, by way of Lake Michigan, Praire du
Chien and Mississippi to that country and have applied to me
for licenses, for that trade for the ensuing Year, and state that
no American trading house, has ever heretofore been estab-
lished there, the Sieux and other Indians from that quarter
have been very importunate with me, to send them Traders.
Under these circumstances I have proposed as the only means
within my power to reconcile the supply of that Country, by
foreigners, with the intention of the Instructions from the De-
partment of War on that subject, That to such persons (for-
eigners) whose characters were unexpectionable, Licences would
be given conditioned that they should be permitted to go into the
Country with their Merchandize and should there be no Ameri-
can Establishments there, then to carry on their trade for one
year ; but not to open their goods or in any wise dispose of them
to Indians at a village or hunting camp which they may find thus
supplied by American Citizens ; some two or three licenses will
be taken on this condition, but the South West Company con-
ceive the condition to be inadmissible. As I could not [feel]
myself authorized to indulge them in erasing it, I have con-
sequently referred Mr. Crooks, their agent, to your decision,
have the goodness to write me particularly on this subject, the
Interior Lakes will be amply supplied by american Citizens
from this post [to] Lake Superior in part, and in part by for-
eigners. I have refused licenses in all cases to foreigners ex-
cept the persons actually intended to go into the country, should
himself, appear to support a character unexceptionable.
The Sieux, Foxes, Wynebagoes, Chippeways, and Potawato-
mies who some time since, visited Drummonds Island are now
here on their return, they profess to be entirely pacific in their
intentions and wishes towards us. while the Military force in
this Country is respectable, I apprehend no danger from them
nor do I believe any the most distant opposition will be made
on their part, to the establishment of our posts at Chicago and
Green Bay.
[426]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
I unfortunately have a lame hand and can scarcely write in-
telligibly. Much matter which I should otherwise communi-
cate, must necessarily be defered for a short time, as I write in
the most excrutiating pain, from a bile on my wrist. I am Sir,
Your most obt. Hble. Servt.
Wm. Hy. Puthuff
Ind. Agt.
His Excellency Lewis Cass Governor etc.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 278.]
Detroit July 20th. 1816
Dear Sir — Mr. Crooks arrived here yesterday bringing with
him your letter.
Upon a view of the whole ground in relation to this subject,
I have no doubt but it will be expedient to grant licenses with-
out any condition to such Agents and traders of the Company
to which you refer, as cannot from their character and conduct
be suspected of a design to thwart the objects intended to be
secured by the law.
Whether this law be wise and politick with a view to our
Indian relations, or whether that necessity for the introduction
of foreign traders, which appears to have produced the passage
of the law in reality exists, are questions which we are not
bound to determine.
In the execution of the trust reposed in us, we have nothing
to do, but to ascertain as nearly as possible the views and ob-
jects of the Government, and to carry them into effect.
From all the information, which has reached [me] I have
no doubt but the Government expect that the Country North
and West of us will be supplied with goods by the Capital and
enterprize of this Company, and I apprehend the question sub-
mitted to us as Agents under the law is not whether the Coun-
try shall be thus supplied by Foreigners, but whether the per-
son applying for a license be one who can be safely admitted
to trade in the Indian Country. In the resolution of this lat-
ter question is room for our discretionary powers. The char-
[ 427]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
acter of the applicant, his former conduct, his present situa-
tion and connections, and his probable views must guide us in
determining whether his admission into the Indian Country
will be injurious to the United States.
But I apprehend the former question with respect to the
course of the trade has been definitively determined by the Act
of Congress and the Instructions of the Government.
Under this view of the subject I have no hesitation in ad-
vising you to grant licenses to applicants, whose characters are
above suspicion.
With respect to Mr. Crooks, himself, I would grant him a
license, but that he passes immediately through your Agency
and I have a great aversion to making cyphers of any Officers.
I apprehend it would be improper to clog the licenses with
any conditions, I doubt both its legality and expediency.
Upon the whole matter my opinion is that all the Agents and
traders of this Company, to whose personal character and con-
duct, there can be no objections should be furnished with
licenses. With much respect I am Dr. Sir, yo. obt. Servant
[Lewis Cass]
Majr. Wm. Hy. Puthuff Indian Agent Michillimackinac
1816: GREEN BAY TRADERS AND PRICES
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin
MSS., 3B68. Translated from the French.]
Michillimackinac July 24, 1816
My dear Brother — As I find it necessary to go in the
Washington05 if the arrangement between us and Mr. Lawe
is concluded you will take my Equipment according to the
Memorandum that will be given you by our brother & Mr. Por-
«s Both Lockwood and Augustin Grignon speak in their recollections
of the voyage of the "Washington," that brought the troops from Mack-
inac to Green Bay. Grignon acted as pilot therefor. See Wis. Hist.
Colls., ii, p. 103, iii, p. 281— Ed.
[ 428 ]
1815-1817
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
lier of the Merchandise of Messrs. Franks & Co. and you will
adjust it as you think necessary as I would do myself.
"N. B. if the arrangement that I mention to you above has
not taken place you will do as our brother thinks best. Your
brother
Agt. GrAjnon
Mr. Louis Grignon Present
[Source, same as preceding document, but Account Book 14. Trans-
lated from the French.]
Mka August 3 Southwest Company Br for the Peltries of
the invoice of Merchandize 1816
1100
deerskins
1.00
1100
85
bearskins
5.50
467
50
20
bearcub skins
a, iO
DO
4360
muskrats
15cts
651
50
267
do poor
6i
16
68|
220 lv of beaver
3 50
770
361
Cats
62^
225
62i
40
Do poor
20
8
141
Skunks
1 25
176
8
Do poor
33*
2
66|
70
otters
4 50
315
20
red foxes
1 25
25
3
Do poor
20
60
5
Do virgin
50
2
50
9
Lynx
50
4
50
1
loup cervier
75
217
mink
66*
144
66|
20
Do poor
25cts
5
516
marten
1.00
516 ?
24
bearskin covers
1.50
?6
4582
[ 429 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1816: TROOPS AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 290.]
MlCHILLIMACKINAC 4th. Augt. 1816
Dear Sir — Nothing has transpired here since my last, re-
lating to Indian matters worthy of communication, except the
very extraordinary Issues of arms and ammunition made to
the Indians at Drummonds Island, as many as 18 hundred have
visited this post in one day, every man and boy has been fur-
nished with arms and ammunition far exceeding the issues
made at any one time during the late war. The Indians are
told that the British and American Government are at Peace
that they are included in that peace provided they wish it, that
by the article including them it is provided that they shall be
left in full possession of their lands, that the Americans never
heretofore had a Post at Green Bay, But that they (the In-
dians) are now with the Americans and consequently may do
as they think proper, if they choose to invite the Americans to
come among them they may do so. But it is, I have good rea-
son to believe, plainly insinuated that the Americans will im-
pose upon them by fair promises until they obtain Foot hold
that then their fate will be that of their red Brethren who have,
as they are informed been thus driven by degrees from the
lands they formerly inhabited.
I have however no cause to alter my former opinion, that
however adverse the British Government may be to the Military
occupation of Green Bay, Grand Portage, Praire du Chien, etc.
by American troops, and however anxious they may be by in-
direct means, to prevent it, Yet there is no good grounds for a
belief that they will succeed in the inducing open hostility on
the part of the Indians of that district of Country, when we
shall appear in respectable force. The Indians are not destitute
of common sense, and certainly have more judgement, prudence
and policy, than is generally believed to influence their political
decisions. They are well appprised of the disastrous conse-
quences that would ultimately result to them from a hostile
[ 430 ]
1815-1817J Fur-trade in Wisconsin
opposition to the landing or entre[n]ching our troops at those
posts, there are however many of their more vicious and impol-
itic Young men that might and perhaps would proceed to
open hostilities in opposition to the advice of their principal
hereditary or Village Chiefs, should we appear in small force
among them. Ambition for rule and power has made greater
progress with that [them] than is generally believed, nor will
the self and British created War Chief easily resign his powers
and influence to the village Chiefs, it is upon the former that
the insiduous policy of the Indian Agency at Drummonds Island
is intended to operate, how far it may succeed is perhaps,
measurably doubtful, but that open hostilities with the Indians
will not take place, I feel pretty confident.
Under those circumstances Colo. Miller66 ordered two com-
panies of Infantry and a detachment of Artillery from the
garrison here to cover the landing and aid in securing the en-
campment of the troops destined to garrison Green Bay, the
Colo, commands the expedition in person. On the 29th. Ulto,
the transports with the whole command were lying off the mouth
of Green Bay at anchor, light winds and contratry. I entertain
no doubt of their having reached their point of destination be-
fore this time.
By the next vessel I will furnish you a discriptive list of the
persons, foreigners, who have obtained License for Indian
Trade, there are as yet but three, Barthalott, Aird and John-
ston, the S. W company's list is now before me, it contains
many names that were of the British Indian Department, dur-
ing the War, to them I have objected, my reasons with a list
of their names and rank they held will be also forwarded to
you by next vessel.
I am Sir, yo. mo. obt. Servt.
Wm. Hy. Puthuff
Indian Agent Mackinaw
His Excellency Lewis Cass Govr. etc. etc.
P. S. I have written most pressingly to Mr. Stockton to
For a brief biographical sketch, see Id., i, p. 51. — Ed.
[ 431 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
request Colo. McDougall to forward the Indian goods I left
with him, those goods are much wanted here, nor can I obtain
an answer or reason why they have not been forwarded. T
sincerely hope goods may have arrived at Detroit for this
Agency before this, when any may arrive will you have the
goodness to direct Colonel McDougall to forward them imme-
diately, he, I fear, is slow to act without a spur.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 303.]
Michillimackinac 18th. August 1816
Dear Sib — By the return of Colo. Miller from Green Bay
we are informed of the result of the expedition under his com-
mand. The troops were landed without opposition, or even
appearances of hostile feelings on the part of the Indians of
that District of Country, with the particulars however, Colo.
Bowyer has no doubt made you acquainted.
There are but few Indians at this place, those of the neigh-
bouring villages only occasionally visit us. They are appar-
ently perfectly reconcile [d] to our troops having occupied
Green Bay and Chicago.
Herewith I send you a list of licenses issued to Foreigners.
Applications for licenses within the districts of Green Bay and
Chicago, have been referred to the respective agents at those
posts.
I am now engaged collecting the most correct information of
the different trading Posts visited by Foreigners, the number
of Indians at those posts, and the amount of goods introduced,
with a view to inform our Government of the true state of trade
in this quarter, and the more effectually to enforce the opinion
I formerly advanced, that there is not a necessity for the intro-
duction of a single foreigner, except perhaps on Lake Superior,
to furnish an ample supply of goods to our Indians. I will, this
fall, furnish you with the result of my enquiries.
Such goods as you can spare me are much wanted here, by the
Hunter I received goods for Green Bay and Chicago, those for
Green Bay have been forwarded, those for Chicago shall go
[ 432]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
by the first vessel, Colo. McDougall writes me that he "had
not time to put up the goods I left to forward by the Hunter."
I am, Sir, your most obt. Hble. Servt.
Wm. Hy. Puthuff
Indian Agent.
His Excellency Govr. Cass
1816: FACTORY AT PRAIRIE DU CHI EN
(MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," pp. 126, 128.]
Indian Office Geo: Town 30 aug: 1816
To John W Johnson Esq Prairie du Chien
Sir — Your several accounts and vouchers for the quarter
ending with the 30 June 1st, I received in due course of mail.
The expenditures are considerable, but I take for granted they
have been made with all the ecconomy of which the case ad-
mitted. Having completed the buildings at P. du Chien, those
will not recur; and from the stock of merchandize now on
hand, added to the handsome supply now in motion, according
to your last order, I anticipate with confidence, and pleasure, a
very extensive display of profitable and harmonious operations.
Your location at P. du Chien, from the best information, is of
the very best for a large trade; and this together with your
exertions, in which I am sure you will not be wanting, justify
the hopes I entertain; and promise their ample realization.
It appears to me to be proper in the present state of the
property rented by you of the Mackinac company, to withold
the price of the rent, for the present, the seizure of it by Genl.
Smith, a Commanding officer in the United States army, and
his assureance that it is the property of the United States, will
justify this course. If the question of right shall occur; and
if it shall be found to be in the Mackinac company, then of
course you will pay the price agreed on for the rent of it.
It is exeedingly to be regretted that there should be any col-
lissions between Gentlemen engaged in serving the interests
28 [ 433 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
of our common country. I know well the disposition of the
War Department is to afford to the Indian factories as much
aid from the military as is consistent with its regular duties.
I sincerely hope Genl. Smith will not persist in denying rea-
sonable aid, which is all that you would require, to the factory,
and expecially so, as by the allowance made the soldiers, their
consent would no doubt be voluntary.
I am happy to learn the pleasure of the Indians, on their
satisfaction, much of your success will depend, as you well
know.
I will write you further in reply to other parts of your letter,
soon. Respectfully etc. etc.
T. L. McKenney67
Indian Office Geo Town 2 Sept. 1816
To John W Johnson Esq
Sir — I addressed a letter to you on the 31 Ulto. in part
answer to your of the 30. June last.
I have considered what remains, and particularly the desire
67 Thomas Lorraine McKenney was born in Maryland in 1785, and
during the War of 1812-15 acted as vidette and adjutant of the Dis-
trict of Columbia militia. For a year or more he was in business in
Georgetown, where (April 2, 1816) he was appointed commissioner for
Indian trade, to supersede Gen. John Mason, resigned. This position
he held until the factory system was (in 1822) abolished. In 1824,
upon the erecting of a bureau for Indian affairs in the war depart-
ment, McKenney was placed in charge, and continued there until
August, 1830. In 1826 he was made special commissioner to hold a
treaty at Fond du Lac, Lake Superior; his experiences en route are
embodied in his book, Tour of the Lakes. The following year he held
an important treaty at Butte des Morts, and subsequently passed over
the Fox-Wisconsin route to the Mississippi. Upon the latter river he
visited the Indian tribes of the Southern states. After leaving the
Indian office, Colonel McKenney devoted himself to publishing and
lecturing in behalf of the Indian wards of the United States. In
1845 he published his Memoirs, and later (with a co-editor) three vol-
umes of Indian biography. In his later years he lived in Brooklyn*
[434]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
of the Sac Indians near the river St. Peters; and that also
expressed by the Fox Indians near the lead mines, to be sup-
plied with merchandize. It is entirely within the scope of our
policy to extend every reasonable assistance to all the Indians
within our limits, so far as that may be practicable, and con-
sistent with the amount of our trading capital. At present
however, I am unable to see how this can be done, to any con-
siderable extent or at all unless you could send supplies from
•Prarie du Chien and out of your stock now in trade, which
might be augmented, somewhat for this purpose. To make a
depot at St. Louis, and supply Individuals from it, at cost and
charges, however valuable the results might be in putting down
the british traders, and in attaching the Indians to us, camnt
be done at this time. This however may be done if congress
shall accede to the plan of the Honbl. the Secy, of War, in aug-
menting the capital of this establishment — and under judicious
regulations, much good would no doubt result from it. Mean-
while you can exercise your discretion, in pushing on occasional
supplies from the factory at Prarie du Chien, which as I have
said, shall be occasionally, and additionally replenished.
It is hardly necessary for me to call your attention to the
risque that is involved in sending out traders. I am very sure
that you will have an eye upon their honesty and fair dealings ;
and in case you shall be deceived, to have in your possession
sufficient security, as a reserve to bring up their arrears, this
pomt well guarded, and which must of course be left to you, I
shall be gratified if those Indians on the river St. Peters, and
at the lead mines could have their wants supplied, if but par-
tially. It is but due to you to apprise you, that much is ex-
pected from the operation at Prairie du Chien, your own ex-
perience, your location there — perhaps the very best, your
Forty thousand dollar capital, make a combination of points
that afford just grounds for large expectations. To succeed
well, and profitably, and to give entire satisfaction to the In-
and died in New York in 1859. He contributed to Wis. Hist. Colls.,.
v, pp. 178-204, a history of the Winnebago War.— Ed.
[ 435 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
dians with whom you will trade, will, I have no doubt, give
much satisfaction to you. I need hardly assure you that I
shall partake largely with you in this satisfaction. I hope ere
this you have received the goods, as well as my letter of april
last.
I franked, and forwarded your letter as you requested, to
your brother, dont lose sight of Pryor and Butler. Respect-
fully etc. etc.
T. L. Mc.Kenney.
1816: POST BUILT AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Library of Congress. Mc Arthur Papers.]
Mouth of Fox Rives Geeen Bay 24th. September 1816
My Dear Sir — Having received many instances of your
friendship and believing that I am still honoured with its
possession, I am emboldened to address you upon a subject of
material consequence to me and depending much upon your ap-
probation and support.
I have, my dear sir, lost all prepossessions for the army and
determined to withdraw from it as soon as practicable; — a
change of [se]ntement produced by the most substantial]
reasons; among them may be cited the [con] duct evinced by
my Cong Genl. to the [district] to which I belong, having em-
ployed i [MS. torn] intending still to employ it, in perform-
i[ng] the duty of Pioneers to the other corps, [MS. torn] re-
main at a Post no longer than the com[ple]tion of the Port.
The loss next Spring of a large proportion of my Company
by discharges, the only remaining tie that binds me to the Army
and what is of the most serious concern to me finding, that, in
these remote and inaccessible quarters of the world, my pay is
entirely inadaquate to my support — Being poor, I as yet have
no wish to return to the Country of my friends, altho I still
and must ever retain for them the tenderest regard, and do
often sigh for their society: But my pride and principles of
[436]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
independence require a seperation till I possess greater means;
and the longer I remain in the Army the greater will be the
barriers to my return.
Weighing maturely all these facts, with others of equal con-
sideration, have resolved me to make application for an [In-
dia] n or Factors Agency, To be situated [at] the Portage of
this River and the Ousco[nsin w]here a Fort is to be erected
next spring, I [sho]uld most prefer, but would be perfectly s[at-
isflied with a situation on the Mississippi or a[ny] of its
waters. An Indian Agency, being reckoned the most respon-
sible, would be my Choice.
We arrived here on the 8th of August last, in four vessels,
without experiencing any difficulty in the navigation of thi3
Bay, which wa's entirely unknown, or in crossing the Bar op-
posite the mouth of this river. Two companies of Riflemen
and the same Infantry, commanded by Brevet Lieut Col Cham-
bers, constitute the force intended for this Post, but an addi-
tional one, consisting of a detachment of Artillery and two
companies of Infy with Col Jno Miller, accompanied the ex-
pedition hither,08 as a precaution against any opposition from
the Indians, it having been reported, tho most fa[lse]ly, that
800 warriors were embodied to [op] pose the Military estab-
lishment h[ere] but the few we found manifested [much] hu-
mility and friendship. Major [Graham who] is with us and
often speaks of you with [much] regard, has selected for the
Fort the pos[t], where the old French one once stood, [situ-
ated about one mile up the river and one half mile below where
commences a Mongrel French settlement that extends about
five miles on both sides of the river and is occupied by about
forty families, many of whom, in consequence of their extreme
indolent habits and frequent Indian depredations upon their
property, are reduced to the most distressing want. Prior to
the war this settlement is represented to have been in a flour-
ishing condition, being of itself completely capable of its sup-
68 For another contemporary account of the American occupation
of Green Bay, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiii, pp. 441-447. — En.
[437 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
port — having Grist, saw, horse mills and Distilerys, and
abounding with cattle and horses and some hogs — but during
the war the former were abandoned, the latter destroyed and
their fields neglected.
The prospect of this country, to the extent of the settlement
and in the direction of the Bay, is beautiful and interesting.
The climate uniform, much milder than at [Detro]it, and ex-
perience has proved it to be [more] healthful. The soil as
fertile as that of [MS. torn] and Kentucky, having observed in
many p [laces] black light mold of fifteen inches deep, [with]
garden productions in size larger than I h[ave] ever seen in
any country, and vegetation, in [gen]eral, more luxuriant.
This river, I would adjudge to be about four hundred yards
wide, of a gentle current and sufficiently deep for the largest
Vessels on the Lakes to the rapids, which is five miles from the
mouth. This Bay is computed to be about 90 miles long, and
from this place to Mackinac is calculated to be about T80 and
to the Mississippi about 350 miles. The portage, which is
half way to the Mississippi, is represented to be the most de-
sirable part of this Country, and in time, from its peculiar
position, must become a place of the first consequence. A Pub-
lic trading House at that place would be profitable to Govern-
ment and of the first import [ance] to the Indians, as it would,
if prope[rly co]nducted, completely secure them from [the]
monstrous impositions that are [being] practised upon them by
British [anjd American Traders. And an India [n agen]cy
as necessary for the control and Amer[can]izing the Winabagos
who reside in its neigh [b] ourhood, a numerous mischievious
and ungovournable people. Agreeable to the Opinion of the
most reputable inhabitants of this country the place in question
is more resorted to by Indians from the Lakes and the Missis-
sippi than any other at which there is a Military establishment.
Will you be pleased, my dear Sir, to de me the favour of com-
municating to me this winter by the way of Detroit, your
opinion and advice upon the subject to which I have solicited
your attention two [times] in the course of that season will
[438]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
pro[ceed] thence hither. W[ith] perfect respect Believe me
your [sijncere friend
Jno. O'Fallon69
Capt. Rifle Regt.
Addressed: Genl. Duncan Mc. Arthur™ Chillicothe Ohio
Endorsed: John O'Fallon
69 John O'Fallon was born in Louisville, Nov. 23, 1791, the son of
Dr. James O'Fallon and the youngest sister of George Rogers Clark.
He was practically the adopted son of his illustrious uncle, and spent
most of his time with him until sent in 1803 to a boarding school.
In 1811 he joined the army under Harrison, and was severely wounded
at the battle of Tippecanoe. After convalescence at Vincennes, and
a visit to St. Louis early in 1812, where he took part in Whiteside's
Illinois expedition, he joined the army in October and was assigned to
Harrison's staff. In that capacity he took part in the defence of Fort
Meigs and the battle of the Thames. He remained with Harrison
until the latter's resignation in May, 1814, and in 1815 was in station
at Maiden — for a short time, in command. As captain in the 1st rifles,
he was sent first to Mackinac, then to Green Bay. He did not resign
from the army until 1818, when he settled at St. Louis and entered a
business career that proved successful. He was president of several
banks and of an early railroad company, and aided much in building
up the industries of Missouri and of the Mississippi valley generally.
O'Fallon was a man of g/eat philanthropy, and founded several insti-
tutions, such as the O'Fallon Polytechnic, St. Louis Medical College,
and Home for the Friendless. His correspondence with Dr. Lyman
Copeland Draper is a valued part of the Wisconsin Historical Society's
collections. When he died in 1865, it was said of him that one "never
knew a finer or nobler man." — Ed.
70 Gen. Duncan McArthur (1772-1839) was general of the Ohio
militia during the War of 1812-15, and in 1814 succeeded Harrison in
command of the Western army. He was a commissioner to negotiate
Indian treaties (1815-17), and later a member of Congress (1823-25),
as well as governor of Ohio (1830-32). His papers are in the Library
of Congress. — Ed.
[439]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1816: FACTORY AND LICENSES AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 204. Letter Book 1, p. 319.]
Green Bay Agency [Oct. 1, 1816] ?i
Sir — I have seen most of the principal chiefs residing in
this quarter. They all appear to be friendly disposed, and
have generally expressed themselves well pleased with the estab-
lishments at this place. The Winnebagoes were opposed to the
building of a Fort, when they first visited me, but after I held
two or three talks with their Chiefs, they left me apparently
well satisfied. I have had some trouble, from the want of
Medals, Armbands, and small flags, believing these necessary
articles would be here in a short time, I demanded from the
Chiefs the medals etc. they had received from the British,,
promising to replace them with those of the United States, most
of the Chiefs who have visited me since I made the demand,
have delivered up their Medals etc. they had received, not hav-
ing any to give in return, I considered myself bound to pay
them well for what they gave up, and promised to replace them
as soon as possible.
The whole of the goods intended for this Agency has gone
to Chicago, and I have only received a few articles marked for
that Agency, without Invoice or letter accompanying the pack-
ages I have made this statement to the Secretary of War, and
have requested him to forward on Medals etc. in the Spring.
Jno. Bowyer
Ind. Agent,
His Excellency Governor Cass Detroit
7iThe following letter is undated in the original but the letters m
the archives are inserted in chronological order, and this lies between
one of Sept. 27 and another of Oct. 4, 1816. — Ed.
[ 440 ]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
TMSS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 112, p. 224.
Green Bay Agency October 3d. 1816
Received of Mr Peire Grignon fifty Dollars on Account of
Mr Botillea [Bouthillier] for his Licence to trade with the
Indians.
Bowyer
Indian Agent
Green Bay Agency October 3d. 1816
Received of Mr Peire Grignon on account of Mr Rolette for
Licence to trade with the Indians, one hundred Dollars.
Jn° Bowyer
Indian Agent
1816: LEGAL OPINION ON LICENSES
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.r
1D20.]
Opinion of Colonel Benton
Having carefully examined the Act of Congress passed
29th. April 1816 and also the Acts passed 30th March 1802,
regulating the trade and intercourse with the Indian Tribes
and have also Considered Other Acts on the same subject and
the Provision of the Treaty of Ghent
I do therefore give it as my Opinion that Any Foreigner is
at Liberty to introduce Goods into Any Part of the United
States to which the Indian title has been extinguished without
a Licence from Any Governor or Any Other Officer to trade
with Indians Provided he has a Licence to sell Merchandize
Generally under the several Laws of the United States as All
Merchants Must have whether citizens or aliens.
And I also give it as my Opinion that no Goods [brought]
By a foreigner into the United States According to Law And
on which the Customary duties have been paid can be Seized
by the Military or become forfeited or incur Any penalties
[ 441 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
which [while] kept or Vended Upon Any Teritory within the
United States to which the Indian title has been extinguished.
Benton
atty & Counsellor at Law72
Given at my Office at Sr Louis this 8 October 1816
1816: AFFAIRS AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "D," p. 54.]
Indian office Geo Town 21 Oct. 1816
M. Irwin Esq
Sir — I am notified by your letter of the 30 aug: of your
arrival off Green Bay on the 26th. of that month ; and am
gratified to learn that you have received favorable impressions
of that place.
It seems to me that Col: Boyers testimony in the case of
the plunder by the rifle corps, is sufficient to justify you in
appealing to their commander for remuneration, which can be
come at in a summary way, by ascertaining the amount stolen;
and aportioning it amongst the parties concerned, and deduct-
ing it from their wages. I can see no reason why soldiers,
more than other people, should steal with impunity. You will
look to this affair. If you receive from the Commander of the
rogues, the amount stolen by them, the mode and extent of
chastisement will be with him to settle.
Let me hear from you as constantly as possible and when
you look about you a little, give me some account of Green
Bay with its relative position with other places of more note.
Respectfully etc. etc.
T. L. Mc.Kenney.
^-'Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) came to St. Louis m 1815, and
practiced law there until his election (1820) to the United States sen-
ate. His later career is a matter of national history — Ed.
[ 442]
1815-18171 Fur- trade in Wisconsin
1816: LICENSES TO FOREIGNERS
[Source, same as preceding document, but Letter Book "C," p. 439.]
Department of War, 29th. October, 1816.
Sir — I have the honor to enclose for your information and
guidance, copies of the instructions which have been given to
the several agents authorized to grant licenses to foreign traders.
This authority was confined to the agents on the North Western
frontier, because they were the only agents to whom it was
probable that application would be made for original licenses.
The agencies at Green Bay and Chicago were placed under the
superintendence of the Governor of the Michigan territory, be-
cause the facilities of communication with Detroit were much
greater than with Kaskaskias, and their supplies would neces-
sarily take that direction ; and because it was not absolutely cer-
tain in what territory those agencies would be, when a due
North line from Post Vincennes should be accurately run; dif-
ferent maps lay down differently the relative situation of that
place and Lake Michigan. I have the honor to be etc.
[George Graham
Acting Secretary of War]
Addressed: Ninian Edwards Gov. of Illinois Territory.
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 441.]
Department of War, 30th. October, 1816.
Sir — The letter of the 10th. of May last, empowering cer-
tain agents to grant licenses to foreign traders, did not author-
ize any charge to be made on account of issuing such licenses,
nor was it contemplated by the government that any agent
would make such a charge; information has however been re-
ceived at this department, founded, as it is represented, on the
declarations of the traders who had obtained licenses at Michili-
mackinac, that they had paid fifty dollars for each license, and
that they had paid for the release of certain cargoes of furs
which had been seized at that place. Among others Kollette
[443 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
and Aird are stated to have paid a considerable sum on these
accounts. It is believed that these representations are alto-
gether unfounded, but it has become necessary to call on you
for an explanation, which will no doubt be entirely satisfactory.
Should the fact however be satisfactorily established that any
traders have made unfounded representations on this subject,
they ought to be punished by recalling their licenses. I have
the honor etc. etc.
Addressed: Majr. William H. Puthuff, Ind. agent, Mackinac
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
Whereas William Dixon a foreigner residing on the Biver S*
Peters73 United States hath made application to trade with
Indian Tribes at the River S* Peters or in the Mississippi
Country under the Law of Congress on that Subject passed
29th April 1816 and hath given the amount of goods he in-
tends to embark in his Trade on Oath Viz "Not exceeding Six
thousand three hundred Dollars and 00 Cents
Now therefore he the said Wm Dixon being of good Reputa-
7*william Dickson was the son of Col. Robert Dickson and a Sioux
mother. He was educated by his father, and assisted him during the
War of 1812-15. At this time, he was said to be still in the pay of the
British government (Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, 350) ; it does not therefore
speak well for either the acumen or the integrity of Puthuff that he
should grant him this license. Later Dickson continued the fur-
trade on Red River and vicinity, and in 1832 was on the Missouri,
where Maximilian, Prince of Wied, met him. See Thwaites, Early
Western Travels, xxiv, pp. 96, 97. In 1836, Dickson incited a half-
breed and Indian insurrection on Red River, and suicided two years
later. See Edward D. Neill, History of Minnesota (St. Paul, 1882),
p. 452; also Wis. Hist. Colls., x, p. 141. — Ed.
[George Graham
Actg Secretary of War]
55B71.]
United States of America
District of Michilimackinac
To all whom it may Concern
[444]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
tion & having given Bond & Security agreeably to Law, is
hereby licensed by authority of special powers, by the presi-
dent of the United States of America to me for that purpose
delegated, To Trade with Indian tribes on the waters of the
Mississippi above prarie Duchien, for a term not exceeding one
year from the date of these presents, Conditioned Specially that
he the aforesaid William Dixon his clerks, interpreters or others
employed by him in his trade or conveyance of goods in the
Indian country Shall in all manner of things Strictly and liter-
ally conform to the Law above mentioned a copy of which is de-
livered to him with this licence
Given under my hand and Seal of my agency at Michili-
mackinac this 1st day of November One thousand Eight hun-
dred & Sixteen
Wm. Henry Puthuff
In Agent Michilimackinac
Endorsed: One of the $50 permits of which Mathew Irwin speaks
off.?*
1817: DIFFICULTIES OF WISCONSIN TRADERS
[Source, same as preceding document, but 4B51. Translated from the
French.]
Sir and Friend — It is without doubt a matter of indiffer-
ence to you to receive news from this place where my ill for-
tune has brought me. I should have written you sooner but not
being well informed my narration would have been incomplete.
The tribunal of a mercantile inquisition has not allowed me
to go and winter with the Sacs as I had proposed. I was not
clothed with the spotless robe, without which one could not be
admitted to the number of the privileged ones. Far from it,
I was found lacking in all ways as much for my self as for my
men who no more than I were admissible. The season being
too far advanced to allow me to turn back (even if they had
been willing to permit it) I decided to winter at St Charles a
74 For Matthew Irwin's report on the sale of these licenses, see Wis.
Hist. Colls., vii, p. 271. — Ed.
[ 445 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
little village on the Missoury 8 leagues from St. louis where for
100$ I found a shelter and warehouse for my goods for Q1/^
months which cost me more than double that in Capital.
Alarmed at the difficulties, afraid that some would come up
who would foil me I bought a half licence at the price of a
whole one, for this place, dearly obtained, and I bargain daily
for a shilling in thread and needles and am known throughout
all the County as a merchant in these articles.
My store is on the 2nd floor where I have only a very steep
stairway, so that it is frequented only by young people, the old
having to remain at the foot; That is the most beneficial re-
sult of my licence.
Mr Bouteiller, that Sheep of the Good God, after so many
hardships having been taxed with being at the head of the
Savages during the war on a Great white horse with a great
white plume and a long Saber and on the very point of having
his scalp lifted and his neck cut, has succeeded in dissipating
the prejudice against him with the aid of his purse. He has
obtained at great expense a licence, and being admitted among
the number of the elect, winters at the 2 rivers and informs me
that he hopes to do a good business.
The Sacs have taken care of Lagotry75 and have hidden him
so well that no one can find him. it is to be presumed by the
reports that he will do well. The Rumor runs that they sent
to take him, but the contrary occurred. They were only
troops who came down, as they say, trying to find him but could
not. I await the result to know whether I did well or ill not
to have followed him it having been impossible to undertake
it by myself. All I can say is that the dispensors of favors
must have carried a high head if they suffer such a check.
75 Very little is known of this trader, Edward Lagoterie. He seems
to have come out from Canada, and to have had a trading stand among
the Sauk, especially at Black Hawk's village, at the mouth of Rock
River. He was employed by Robert Dickson in 1812-14, to secure the
Sauk allegiance; and by the United States commissioners in 1815 to
invite the same tribesmen to the treaty of Portage des Sioux. For his
arrest in 1817, see post. — Ed.
[ 446 ]
1815-18171 Fur-trade m Wisconsin
Up to the time that I left the Bay they had received only
good treatment from the Government the one in command [Col.
Talbot Chambers] although violent and exacting showed him-
self just and sociable The agent [Col. John Bowyer] was
all that could be asked, instructed at Mka that money accom-
plishes all, he proved to be accommodating enough, the factor
[Matthew Irwin] is a Gentleman, not to him is the harm to
commence to be imputed.
The arrangement we have made for a partnership will make
trade succeed for us at La Baie in all probability. We must
have 4 partners in the dependencies the opposition not appear-
ing to be united, I believe that they will retire. The Store at
la Bay is kept by Mr. Law & Mr. L. Grignon is there at the
head of a contract with the government for a quantity of timber
for the buildings of the government. This will be profitable
if he can accomplish it.
I seriously regret having come here although I estimate that
I can realize here either a loss or gain of at least 500£. All
that I hope is to realize the first cost of my goods since only
persons of means pay in currency, nor can I expect to recoup
myself on the price of peltries they sell here for the same or
less than at Mka. Deerskins sell these days at 40 sol per
pound. If you have an opportunity let we know the prices at
Mka so that I may make use of this information.
[Jacques Poreier]
Endorsed: to Pre. Rocheblave. 1817™
1817: FACTORY RECEIPTS
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "D," p. 476.]
Office Indian Trade Geo Town 6 Jany. 1817
Mathew Irwin Esq Green Bay
Sir — I received your letter and its accompanament — a Copy
from your Journal. Since you have heen at Green Bay your
76 This letter is but a draft or copy of one sent to Rocheblave, and
is undated, except for the year. It is not certain whether it refers to
the winter of 1816-17, or of 1817-18 — but probably the former. — Ed.
[ 447]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
returns have been very irregular and the business you have been
doing, very limited. The whole amount of your sale appears
to be only $5384. and of this sum it would seem about $1800.
had been sold to Indians.77
I wish you to inform me with as little delay as possible the
causes of the barren state of your factory, and whether the
prospect is favorable for better business in future. Unless
something in addition to present operations be done, I shall be
compelled to recommend a breaking up of the Green Bay estab-
lishment.
Be pleased to give me all the information you can; and as
soon as possible. I am etc. etc. etc.
T. L. Mc.K[enney]
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 226.]
Office In: Trade, Geo. town 22d. Jany. 1817
To James Kennerly Esqi*
Dear Sir — The contents of your letter of the 2 2d. ulto. have
occasioned me much uneasiness, as well from the apprehen-
sions of the final safety of the merch'ds. for Prarie du Chien;
a<? from the incalculable disadvantage which will result to the
Tactory on account of its delay. "They are now, you say, in
the mouth of Le Moin [Des Moines] Eiver, and will remain
there untill some rise of water, or untill some method is adopted
to get them on." I sincerely hope you have been active in
77 in view of the figures given for the Green Bay factory in the
summary (Amer. State Papers, Indian Affairs, ii, p. 208), these fig-
ures and the admonition to Irwin seem extraordinary. The factor
had but $4,617.28 worth of goods in all. Probably the sales aggregated
only $538.40 and $180.00. — Ed.
78 James Kennerly (1792-1840) was of a Virginia family, related to
Mrs. William Clark. He came to St. Louis about 1813, and entered
the mercantile business, being associated with John O'Fallon, later
with his brother George Kennerly. From 1827-37 he was sutler for
the troops at Jefferson Barracks. At the time of this letter, he was
forwarding agent at St. Louis for the United States Indian factories in
that vicinity. — Ed.
[448]
1815-1817J
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
ascertaining what method was best ; and that you have promptly
adopted it. If so, the goods are before this at Prarie du Chien
otherwise they are no doubt where you state them to have been,
unless indeed some casuality, to which I should suppose them
constantly liable, has put them out of our power to controul,
in future.
Perron and Connellys receipt being dated the 18th. of august,
time enough in all conscience was at the disposal for those
goods to have reached Prairie du Chien. There is nothing
easier however, than to throw into the scale which is to balance
that of delay and indifference, as much "low water/' as would
make a River. And it happens unfortunately for the public
business that this impediment is a standing apology with those
Boatmen, when private individuals get along notwithstanding.
I apprehend, Sir, that unless Boatmen can be had whose hon-
esty will stand the test, our business will thus always drag.
That some are more to be relied on than others, I take for
granted — you would Do well to employ such men, only. I
can see no possible advantage in having a Boat, if she is to be
navigated by men who are indifferent about prosecuting the
voyage ; and who have as little concern, generally, when a Boat
sinks, as when she swims. Still, however, some plan must be
devised by which the public property can be made to keep pace
at least with that belonging to private Traders. If to have a
Boat at Saint Louis will do this, a Boat shall be had, but it
must depend on the agent to select men for the voyage on
whom some reliance can be placed. I am willing to put all
necessary means in the hands of the agent, but at all hazards
the merchandize must go on. I see, and am willing to make
every allowance for the difficulties of the navigation; and for
the delay consequent upon absence of boats and boatmen, but
I must nevertheless believe that this is trifleing compared with
the worthless character of the boatmen generally. You state
yourself, that the delay of the Osage merchandize, was owing to
the faithlessness of the undertaker, who left the packages about
% rds. of the way from this to Ft. Osage.
I will suggest perhaps how this inexcusible evil may be
29 [ 449 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
remedied, but really my dear Sir, this being so exactly within
your province, I attempt it with reluctance, because the means,
the prospects, the characters, being all there you only can judge
of the best plan. I would suggest however — seeing that doubt
must always hang upon a voyage, that you obtain security for
the delivery of the Merchandize at the place of destination
within stated periods, outside of such events as would forestall
any human exertions, the existence of which, it should be oblig-
atory on the undertaker to support by unquestionable testi-
mony. To an undertaker of this sort pay an additional price.
This may secure exertions, possibly, which without some such
arrangement, I fear, I shall never witness.
I console myself in some measure with the hope that during
the four weeks of spring like weather which prevailed here in
December, the goods were progressed with, and reached Prarie
du Chien. If not, I almost despair of their ever getting there.
I need not protract this communication by pronounceing
upon the importance of promptitude in our remote agencies.
It is known to you, I am sure, as an all important affair. Evils
of an incalculable nature, growing out of a breach of the policy
which the Government is sustaining thr'o this Department, to-
wards the Indian tribes, are to be appprehended from procras-
tination, and want of vigor in the prosecution of the public trust,
far more to be dreaded than any losses in a Commercial point
of view, however important it is to maintain also this branch
of the subject. All this is known to you — and now my dear
Sir let me hear from you, immediately if you please on the
subject of those goods destined to Prarie du Chien, let me
know what their fate is; and also suggest some plan by which
such delay may be avoided in future. For some plan must be
adopted, and I will sanction which ever may be best. Respect-
fully etc. etc. etc.
T L Mc.K[enney]
[450]
1815-1817]
FuMrade in Wisconsin
1817: AMERICAN FUR COMPANY'S AGENTS
[Transcript in Burton Library, Detroit. Letter Book of Ramsay
Crooks, p. 158.]
New York March 17, 1817
You know that I have bought out for account and on behalf
of the American fur Company, all the interests which the gen-
tlemen of Montreal held in the South West fur Company, con-
sequently there will be wanted two Agents to conduct hereafter
said business at Montreal, New York, Michilimacinac, and at
all other places, who are to give their whole time and atten-
tion to said business, and not to trade for account of themselves
or any other person whatsoever, except for the American fur
Company — as I have great confidence in your ability and in-
tegrity, I have proposed you to be one of the two agents, and'
that you are to receive as a compensation, Two thousand Dol-
lars per annum, and your expenses while absent on business of
the company is to be paid by the company, in addition to
which you are to have the profit or loss on five shares (out of
one hundred shares in said business)
The profit or loss is to be declared after all interest and ex-
penses are paid and deducted as well as two and a half per cent,
commission which is to be charged by me, on the sale, or ex-
portation on furs received as returns or otherwise.
You are to continue to be Agent for three years should the
business be so long continued, it being understood that you are
to receive and attend to all the goods comprehended in the out-
fit. [Those of] 1816, are included.
John Jacob Astor
For American fur Com.
Mr. Ramsy Crooks
Endorsed: agreement with J. J. Astor Esq. 1817
[451]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1817: ABUSE OF LICENSING POWER
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Let-
ter Book "D," p. 258.]
Indian Office Geo Town March 19th. 1817
To Geo Graham Esqr. Acting Scctry. War
Dear Sib — Every Letter I reeeive from P. du Chein, eon-
firms the fact, that licences to trade with the Indians are is-
sued to an undue extent. I am aware of the broadness of the
Law; and how easy it is to obtain this privilege, under its
provisions — still, however, I apprehend, with all its extent of
privilege, the use made of it, in many cases, is at War with its
spirit, and certainly with the design of the Government.
The following is an extract from a Letter this day reed, from
Jno. W. Johnson U. S. Factor at Prarie du Chien, dated 8th.
Jany. last.
"How Major Puttoff, Indian Agent at Mackinac could li-
cence Traders for this Territory, is surprising to all the Ameri-
cans here. The blackest of characters were permitted, and are
now trading with the Indians in every direction. Will you do
me the favor to find out whether Mr. Puttoff received unlim-
ited instructions from the President? Each (trader) paying
50$."
Our Trade must suffer under such pressure, and so must the
Indians. Nor can any thing tend to the destruction of both
more rapidly.
I submit it to the Dept. of War to provide suitable Checks
for the evil, and hope some plan may be adopted that will cor-
rect the extent to which it is carried. Very respectfully etc.
T. L. McK[enney]
S [uperintendent] I[ndian] T[rade].
[452]
•1815-18171
Fur- trade in Wisconsin
1817: PRICES FOR FURS
[MS. in Burton Library, Detroit, vol. 113, p. 84.]
Green Bay April 13th 1817
Mr W Woodbridge'^
I). Sir — Yours of the 6th of March last I received on the
9th Inst, and I am very sorry that not withstanding I have
lived for near two years in this country I am not able to give
you the particular information you require respecting the
prices of the different kinds of Furs etc. The best season for
making a purchase at Mackinac is in the Months of June &
July & I suppose that Bear will be about $3, Otter 2, Martin
1.50 Muskrat $16 pr. 100. Letters recd. from the eastward by
the last express state that Muskratt Sold last fall at Boston for
$15. pr. 100. As to the currancy of the different Bank notes
& places of deposit, I would advise Mr. Woodbridge to make m*3
deposits in one of the pittsburgh Banks, and to procure as
many $T. Y. notes as possible there is now 25 pr. cent discount
on Ohio money at this place. Owing to the small quantity of
goods that are at this place I presume there will be very few
Furs sold here this spring, they will all be taken to Michili-
mackinac and there is no person there that I could recommend
as an agent to make the purchase unless Major Puthuff would
be induced to do it for a handsome commission.
I expect to leave this about the first of June for Pittsburg,
should I have an opportunity of procuring you a good Robe, you
may rely on my taking it on with me to Detroit, where I hope
to have the pleasure of seeing you & personally thanking you
for relieving my friends anxiety respecting my safety.
™ William Woodbridge (1780-1861) was born in Connecticut, but
removed as a boy to Marietta, Ohio, where he began the practice of
law, and was active in Ohio politics. At the close of the War of 1812-
15, he was appointed secretary of Michigan Territory, and with his
family removed to Detroit, of which he became a leading citizen. He
was first the territorial delegate in Congress, then judge of the supreme
court of the territory, served as a member of the state constitutional
convention (1835), of the state senate (1837), was governor (1839-41),
and finally was United States senator from Michigan (1851-47). — Ed.
[ 453]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
The letter from Gibbs that you mention in yours I have not
recd. but expect to by the first vessel from Mackinac which we
expect about the last of the Month.
Should you write to Mr. D. Woodbridge or any of the family,
will you please to have the goodness to tender my warmest
respects to Mrs. Woodbridge etc. believe me to be Sir, your3
respectfully
L. Morgan80
Address: Mr. Woodbridge Detroit, M. T.
1817: INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHIPPING FURS
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," p. 278.]
Indn. Trade Office Apl. 15th. 1817
To John W. Johnston Esq U 8 Factor P. du Chien
Dear Sir — This is to request you to forward with as little
delay as possible, the furs and Peltries you may now have on
hand; and as many as you may receive in time to reach here
by October, to James Kennerly Esqr. at St. Louis. The man-
ner of securing them is important, and especially during the
summer Months. I request with a view to their better security,
in more ways than one, but especially as it relates to their pre-
servation against the worm, that you prepared them well;
sprinkle them with spirits of Turpentine, and pack them in
Tierces, such as the Merchandize is sent in — I mean the fine
and small furs. I request the favor of your particular atten-
tion to this.
Your Letter and its enclosures of the 31st. Decemr. came to
hand in proper time, and shall have my reply soon.
so Probably Lewis Morgan, who had entered the army from Penn-
sylvania, and after serving in the artillery for four years, resigned in
1816 to enter the Indian trade. He was agent of fortifications at
Green Bay in 1820, and perished there in 1824 during a winter storm —
see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, pp. 258, 259. When he speaks of oeing in
the country "near two years," he probably refers to his first station
(in 1815) at Mackinac, and the next year at Green Bay. — Ed.
[ 454]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
You shall be served and well served with Goods of the best
qualities and kinds. Very respectfully etc.
T. L. Mc.K[enney]
S. I. T.
1817: WINNEBAGO HOSTILE
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 203. Letter Book 2, p. 33. C. Jouett to Lewis Cass.]
Chicago 29 April 1817.
Sir — The bearer who was sent to Green Bay, on his return
gives accounts that the Winnebagoes are determined to do us
mischief it seems that a small party have had their war dance,
the object of which is to shed blood at or in the neighborhood
of this post this information comes from a Mr. Boubia [Beau-
bien]81 corroborated by the Potawatomies of Milliwakee, it
does not appear that is a national movement but confined to a
few who have lost relations in the late war, I have sent to their
village on Fox river, five respectable Indians, to ascertain the
truth of the report and at the same time to use their influence
to prevent any war party from setting out and should they
fail in their object, they are to send me a runner with the earli-
8i Probably Jean Baptiste Beaubien, one of the earliest permanent
settlers of Chicago, and an early Milwaukee trader. Born at Detroit
of the family of Cuillerier dit Beaubien (see Wis. Hist. Colls., xviii,
p. 235), he entered the fur-trade as a clerk for Joseph Bailly at Grand
River, where he was located in 1808. Later he removed to Milwaukee,
where (in 1814) the Potawatomi unsuccessfully planned to murder
him and seize his goods. About 1818 he was removed from Milwaukee
to Chicago by the American Fur Company, but seems to have estab-
lished his family at the latter place at an earlier date. After the
abolition of the United States factory, Beaubien bought the premises
and lived thereon until 1840. He was chosen colonel of militia in
1834, and brigadier-general in 1850. He was usually known to early
Chicagoans as Colonel Beaubien. In 1840, having lost his property in
a government suit, he removed to a farm on the Des Plaines?; later, he
was again in Chicago for three years (1855-58), whence he removed
to Naperville, 111., where he died in 1863. — Ed.
[ 455]
Wisconsin Historical Collections ivoi. xix
est intelligence. This nation must be done something with,
they have been altogether unfriendly to our Government. I
think a treaty of some kind should be made with them, by
which we could have some little hold upon them.82 Otherwise
a drubing is indispensible, they threaten to cut off the com-
munication to Green Bay. The Potawatomies, Chippewas and
Ottawas are entirely friendly.
This Agency has suffered many inconveniences for want of
the Blacksmith tools. I hope I shall have the honour of hear-
ing from you by the first opportunity. I am Your Obedt.
Servant,
C. JOUETT
Ind. Agt.
1817: PURPOSES OF PRIVATE TRADERS
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," p. 294.}
Office of Indian trade Geo: Town May 2d. 1817
John W Johnson Esqr. V. 8. F. P. du Chien.
Sir — I am very much in want of Wampum for the factory
at Osage. ~No effort of mine, though they have extended to
all the principal Cities, have been able to command it. There
appears a total disappearance of the article. This is to ask you,
(if you can spare it) to forward in suitable packages such por-
tions of white and blue, as you may be able to part from, even
tho' the quantity shall be small, by letter, under cover to Mr.
Kennerly at St. Louis, with directions for him to forward it
by the earliest conveyance to Fort Osage.
82 The Winnebago were consistently opposed to the Americans, form*
ing (in 1811) a large part of Tecumseh's army, and following Dick-
son's lead to the battles in northern Ohio and around Detroit. The
bands on Rock River and its upper waters in Wisconsin refused to
attend the treaties at Portage des Sioux and St. Louis (1815-17. In
1816, one band, residing on Wisconsin River, was induced to sign a
treaty with the commissioners at St. Louis, but no other was concluded
with the tribe until that of Prairie du Chien (1825). — Ed.
[ 456 ]
-1815-18171 Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Your supplies of of Merchandize will reach you in good time.
The selections I hope will give you power over the private
traders enterprize that surrounds you. What effect would it
have on the surrounding tribes to send runners to anounce your
means of serving them ? Would its novelty awaken any addi-
tional attention to the Factory ? And if so, the private traders
must feel it in the same proportion.
Those traders are certainly at war with the interests and
welfare of the Indians. Every advantage over them that can
be fairly taken ; and wThich includes the harmony of the tribes,
and Justice, is within the limits of the duty we owe these un-
fortunate people, whose want of knowledge of what constitutes
their happiness alone prevents them from putting to flight
those speculators on their toils. Cherish these people, and as
I am sure your own heart dictates, leave no means untried to
impress them with the friendship of the Government; and of
their interest in negotiating through its Agencies. Very re-
spectfully etc.
T. L. McK[enney]
S. I. T.
1817: FOREIGNERS NOT EXCLUDED
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 35.]
Department of War, 4th. May, 1817
His Excelly. Gov. Cass.
Sir — I am directed by the President to inform you, that the
instructions dated the 10th: of May last, relative to the grant-
ing of licenses to foreigners are to be considered as still in force.
The President thinks it probable that he shall be at Detroit
himself, in the course of the ensuing summer, when he wishes
this subject to be brought before him for final decision.
A letter has been received from Major PuthufT since I last
wrote to you, referring to one dated in November, but which
has not been received at this department, for an explanation of
[ 457 J
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
his conduct in relation to the fees taken for granting licenses
to trade with the Indians. It is understood, that he has re-
ceived on that account, at least three thousand dollars.
Mr. Astor having represented to this department, that he
had purchased the whole of the interest in what is termed the
South West Company, you will afford to him and his agents,
every facility in your power, consistent with the laws and the
regulations. I have the honor etc.
George Graham,
A. S. W.
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MS'S.,
4B6.]
La Praeie des Chien 10th May 1817
Dear Lawe — The unexpected conveyance this moment pre-
sents itself which will hardly afford me time to say That we ar-
rived Safely, enjoy good health, and estimate the many proofs
of disinterested friendship, which we received from you, whilst
at Green Bay, more highly than ever.
I can give you no news, there is still a talk of a rupture with
the Indians, but I do not believe, at once that all British trad-
ers will be prohibited from having any intercourse with the
Indians, but the truth of the matter is yet to be realized — do
not take any steps, about making preparations for sending a
party of men and boats into this country, until you hear from
me again, I shall inform you as early as may be practicable.
It is uncertain whether I remain in command here, the ensuing
winter or not, but should I remain, you must certainly calcu-
late on every exertion which I can make for you. The comdg
Officer here has a great deal in his power, it shall be exerted to
the utmost in your behalf, but keep every thing which I write
you, quiet.
O'Fallan is writing you. Dickson is well but in a [MS.
torn] humour about a dance, which he has been prevented in
going to by a Roman Chatholic Priest, You will see him
probably in two or three weeks.
[458]
1815-18171 Fur-trade in Wisconsin
I am in great haste — farewell and believe me Sincerely and
ever Your friend
T. Chambers
Dont forget to write me a long letter by the first opportunity
and tell me your wishes.
Addressed: Mr. John La we Green Bay-
Endorsed: Letter from Colonel Chambers dated Prarie du Chien
10th May 1817 no answer.
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D, " p. 303.1
Office In: Trade, Geo: Town 10th, May 1817
John W. Johnson Esq
Sir — Your letter of 10th. Feb is at hand, and I notice with
regret the prevalence of an evil which it shall be my business
to keep before the authorities, who, like myself, will be happy
to see its consequences lessened — a final death can only be in-
flicted by the Congress. I refer to the extensive limits of the
licence system. Extracts from your letter above referred to, I
have laid before the Secretary of War. You will lodge your
complaint against Nicholas Bolvoin, with the Governor of the
Illinois Territory, and if on your statement, the Gov. can be
satisfied of the impropriety of his conduct on such representa-
tion being made to the War office, by the Gov., Bolvoin will be
removed; or any other man who can be fairly committed for
any violation of the laws regulating Trade with, or for the bet-
ter government of the Indian Tribes. The agent at Mackinac
seems to have got himself into trouble. I learn, orders have
been issued for him to refund the premiums received for li-
cences. I hope this may be true. Be vigilant in your efforts
to detect individuals who regardless of their duty, and of jus-
tice, go forth to peculate on the already too impoverished and
miserable Indians, and make your reports direct to the Gover-
nor of the Illinois Territory, sending me copies of all your
communications.
Rolette has been well informed no doubt ; and the prices he
[ 459 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
is giving for skins are justified by the foreign demand. But I
have not thought it prudent to issue orders to rise in our price,
for two reasons. First, This demand will cease when the scar-
city is supplied which may be before we could make sales.
Second, Our fair dealings will not permit us to supply the
chasm made by the high prices for Furs, by a correspondent
increase on the cost of our goods. Justice forbids it, at least
that propriety of intercourse, which it is desireable to keep up
with the Indians. This is a sort of chicanery which suits very
well the honor of tricky and low minded Men, whose avarice
is always on the alert to deceive, if not by radically unjust
means, yet by such as shall serve their ends as well. This
however may not be Mr. Rolettes plan.
I shall afford you all the power that good goods, and cheap
goods can impart ; and will always second your efforts to rid
the country of the swarms of private traders, whose regard for
the Indians is measured by the profits of their intercourse with
them. If you have any accumulation of bad goods which the
scarcity during the War, forced upon my predecessor, get them
off as well as you can. They will be more in the way as your
stock increases by the supplies of last year, and of this year,
write me as often as you can, and keep me constantly informed
of whatever relates to the factory. I am etc. etc.
T. L. Mc.K[emey]
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Book
203. Letter Book 2, p. 69. Cass to W. H. Puthuff.]
Detroit June 8, 1817
Dear Sir — By a letter from the War Department dated
May 4, 1817, I am informed that "Mr. Astor has purchased
the whole of the interest, in what is termed the South West
Company," and I am instructed to "afford to him and his agents
every facility in my power consistent with the laws and the
regulations."
To Mr. Crooks the Agent of Mr. Astor you will please to
afford every assistance, which the nature of his business may
[460]
1815-1817J
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
require. From a correspondence, which Mr. Crooks has sub-
mitted to me, it is the intention of the Government that Mr.
Crooks as the agent of Mr. Astor should have the selection of
such persons to enter the Indian Country and conduct the busi-
ness as he may require. To such persons therefore as Mr.
Crooks may designate you will please to grant licenses, taking
the security required by law or the regulations of May 10. 1816.
On mature reflection upon the subject I would recommend
that as few licenses as may be consistent with those regulations
be granted, rather reducing than exceeding the number.
I do not recommend Mr. Crooks to your hospitality. That
I know he will receive. But T recommend to your aid and
assistance the objects of his journey. With much esteem T
am Dear Sir, Yo. obt. Servt.
[Lewis Cass]
Maj. W. H. Puthuff Ind. Agent
1817: NEWS FROM MACKINAC
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
4B13.]
Michillimackinac 18th June 1817
Dear John — I parted with your uncle Franks at Lachine
on the ll*h of May. He I suppose has informed you ere this,
that by an arrangement he made with Mr. Stone83 his goods
come by way of New York ; and consequently from Montreal
he had but little to bring up, which I had imagined would con-
83 David Stone was a New England capitalist, whose home was at
Walpole, N. H. He had been in the fur-trade at Detroit before the
War of 1812-15, in partnership with S. Conant. After the war, he
continued under the name of David Stone & Company; later, Stone,
Bostwick & Company, with a branch house at Cincinnati. This was
the only large Eastern competitor of the American Fur Company,
and received government encouragement; until, in 1824, an agreement
was made to combine with the American Fur Company for three years.
David Stone removed in 1828 to Dayton, Ohio, and appears to have
retired from the fur-trade about that time— Ed.
[ 461 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
sidering the number of men, and the lightness of his Boat, hate
enabled him to reach this place before me. He is however still
absent, but by the arrival of Mr. Courselle84 last evening I learn
he was detained at the Portage of York much longer than he
anticipated owing to the North West Boats having the prefer-
ence of transportation. We look for him in a very few days.
You have no doubt heard before this of his having been
joined in the holy bands of matrimony to Miss Solomon — the
courtship you know having been uncommonly short, the conse-
quences which naturally follow such precipitate matches, are
verified in your case. He has beyond all doubt got an excellent
wife — one who loves him with no ordinary affection, who seeks
every opportunity to minister to his comfort, and who takes
great pains by anticipating his wishes, to make him happy — to
say all in a few words, He has obtained the first prize in
this, most hazardous Lottery. I arrived here yesterday by
way of New York, and the Lakes. I left Montreal the 12th
May. Mr. Lemoine (Despins)85 has gone up for Lord Selkirk,
and strange as it may appear, our friend Mr. Robert Dickson
has accompanied him with the intention of joining the Earl at
Red River or elsewhere in the interior.86
Michel Courselle was a British trader in the Michigan peninsula
before 1812. In 1816 he was granted a lot on Drummond Island. — Ed.
ss Jean Baptiste Lemoine dit Despins had been trading in the Upper
Country since the opening of the nineteenth century. In 1812 he
married at St. Louis, Celeste Sanguinet, related to the Chouteau
family. — Ed.
se Thomas Douglas, earl of Selkirk (1771-1820), purchased in 1811 a
large grant of land from the Hudson's Bay Company, on which to
found a colony of Scotchmen. This proceeding was opposed by the
members of the North West Company, and in 1816 a battle was foug'it,
in which Robert Semple, governor of the colony, was killed. Selkirk
thereupon proceeded to Fort William, and in his capacity of magis-
trate sent down to the colony under arrest, the principals of the North
West Company. Selkirk proceeded in 1817 into the interior, where
Dickson planned to join him. This portion of Dickson's career svas
not known, when the biographical sketch of that well-known trader
appeared in Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, pp. 133-153. — Ed.
[462]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
We have nothing new here. Provisions are abundant &
cheap I hope you have passed a pleasant & prosperous winter.
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Porlier's bad fortune, but I trust
you will nevertheless make out pretty well. Wonders you
could not expect to do. Hoping to have the pleasure of seeing
you here at an early day I remain Dear John Yours truly
Ram7 Crooks
Mr. John Lawe.
Your uncle reached Drumond Island last evening I suppose
he will be here to-day.
R. C.
Addressed: Mr. John Lawe Green Bay Hona by Major Gratiot.
Endorsed: Letter from R. Crooks dated McKinac 18th June 1817
answered
1817: INSTRUCTIONS FOR WISCONSIN FACTOR
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," p. 346.1
Indian Trade Office 24th. June 1817
jPo John W. Johnston Esqr V. 8. F. P. du Chien
Sir — Your letter of the 28th. April accompanied by your
quarterly returns closing 31st. March preceding, arrived in due
time.87
It will be necessary for you to use extreme caution in trust-
ting out goods to traders. Boats may get upset, as in the case
of Dorian88 — and even if like him this should escape being
drowned, the tommahawk may put them to rest, and releive
you from the trouble of counting their returns. The very fact
87 The omitted portions in this and some of the succeeding documents
deal with financial accounts and errors, unnecessary to the present
publication. — Ed.
88 There was in the Illinois settlements a considerable family by the
name of Dorion. Pierre accompanied Lewis and Clark as interpreter,
and his son was with the Astorian expedition; see Thwaites, Early
Western Travels, v. p. 38. — Ed.
[463 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
you mention viz. the difficulty of traders giving security must
render their access to the credit of the Factory more difficult.
I wish you nevertheless to have all the chances that such aid
can afford you, and authorize you to let out to discreet and hon-
est men on the best security you can obtain, goods to limited
amounts, to no one trader more than might be deemed a rea-
sonable amount, not to be repeated 'till he settles for them
when he is to have more.
I regret to notice the damage sustained by some of the goods,
which remained so long at the rapids of De Moin. I have re-
ported the transport agent (Mr. Bronaugh) your suggestion
respecting a Column for the weights of each package, this will
be attended to.
It affords me pleasure to learn that those goods are so very
acceptable. It is surely high commendation you bestow, and it
is the more welcome, because you certainly know how to esti-
mate an entire suitableness of the articles to the tastes of In-
dians in your quarter.
I notice with pleasure that you are attracting by means of
those goods the attention of the Indians, and that you took a.
thousand dollars worth of good furs in April. I hope the
period is not distant when you will be rid of British traders.
You should report Dixon to the Governor, he cannot have
authority.89 I wait daily to hear of your skins etc. being on
the way to St. Louis. I presume we shall hold the property at
P. d Chien I am not informed why we shall not. Very re-
spectfully etc.
T. L McK[enney]
SIT.
8» See Forsyth's report of Dickson at Prairie du Chien in 1817, in
Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, p. 350. — Ed.
[ 464]
1815-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 356.1
Office of Indian Trade Geo Town July 10, 1817
M Irwin Esqr. U. 8. F. Green Bay,
Sir — Your letters of the 15th and 17th May are received.90
It is required that duplicate vouchers accompany the Contin-
gent account. You have sent me none, nor have I received any
regular accounts since your arrival at Green Bay. I must urge
the necessity of some efforts to prepare the factory buildings.
I suggest that you address a letter to the Commanding officer,
asking for assistance. If he refuse it, let his answer come be-
fore me ; and his scruples shall be adjusted by the War Depart-
ment. In truth, Gentlemen mistake their duty exceedingly,
when they manifest no interest for the operations of the gen-
eral Government, outside the particular branch over which they
preside, as well, in the language of the Patriotick Genl. Gains
on this same subject, might the hand refuse its aid to the foot.
I cannot but flatter myself with the hope that the Command-
ing officer, influenced by a regard for whatever concerns the
Government of his Country and its views, will unite in the
accomplishment of its designs even tho' they be outside the
special trust placed in his hands. The War Dept. could do no
more than issue a conditional order: But of that condition
the Commanding officer is constituted judge.
You did well to sell the furs to preserve them from a loss on
your hands. I do not wish sales made at either Green Bay or
Mackinac, excepting under such circumstances. I am etc. etc.
T. L. McK[enney]
90 por other letters passing between Irwin and McKenney from
1817-21, see Id., vii, pp. 270-282.— Ed.
30
[ 465 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1817: PROCEEDS OF FACTORIES
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 366.]
Office Indian Trade Geo Town 14th. July 1817
To James Kennerly Esq
Dr. Sir — Your favor of the 15 Ulto. is before me, from
which I learn that you have shipped from St. Louis, all the
furs and Peltries that remained on hand, consisting of One
hundred and fifty nine packages deer skins, Twenty eight of
Beaver, and otter; Twenty one packs Rackoon, Cat, Rat and
dressed Elk skins, 12 Packs of Bear skins — all from the Osage
Trading house: also from Prarie des Chien — Twenty packs
Deer 12 Bear 6 Racoon and 28 Muskrat, 7 Beaver four Packs
otter, and three of Otter, Cat, Rat, Fishes, mink, wolves, Foxes
and Rabit total 300 Packs. I am gratified to learn that those
furs etc. left St Louis in prime order; and that you provided
in your contract for suitable inspections on their passage to
Pittsburg. I wish you much happiness in the married state.
1 am etc. etc.
T L Mc.K[enney]
1817: PROHIBITION OF LIQUOR
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Book
203. Letter Book 2, p. 147.]
Geeen Bay Agency 22d. July 1817
Sir — I have made the arrangements for this agency, so as if
possible to keep the expenditures within the sum of five thou-
sand Dollars, but this I fear will be impossible untill houses
are built for this establishment, as it will require at least five
hundred Dollars per annum for house rent, and the houses no
better than hovels. Fuel will also require a considerable Sum,
the price established by the troops for wood is five Dollars per
Cord.
I wrote the Secretary of War last fall, I had taken from the
Chiefs their British medals, arm bands and Flags, and had
promised to replace them this summer. I have received no
[ 466 ]
1815 i8i7i Fur-trade in Wisconsin
answer on this subject, I also requested a moderate supply of
presents for the chiefs and their families. I may have acted
improperly in taking those things from the chiefs and promis-
ing to give them others, but as I acted from the best of motives
and my word is given, I hope you will have them forwarded as
soon as convenient, I will thank you to forward to me a set of
the laws of the United States, and if possible have the civil
law established at this place.
The indians from fear more than from principle, appear
friendly, it will for sometime require Strong Measures to
destroy the British influence in this quarter, indeed so long as
british subject [s] are suffered to have intercourse with the
Indians, I feel confident British influence will continue, and
it will be an expence without any advantage either to the United
States or the indians to have agents or Factors in the Indian
Country, unless positively ordered, I will give no Licences to
British subjects this year.
I have prohibited the landing of every discription of spirits
in this agency, for the purpose of trade or Barter, I hope this
will meet yours and the President's approbation. I have taken
the liberty of enclosing to you the Copy of a treaty made at
St. Louis with the Menomenee Tribe of Indians. The fel-
lows who have Signed this treaty, have no influence or character
with the Indians, and I am confident this treaty has been made
without the knowledge of the principle chiefs, and of nine
tenths of the nation knowing or even hearing of the transac-
tion.91
I would have written you by the General Jackson, but was
on daily expectation of seing you at this place. I have the
honor to be Sir, Very respectfully Your Obedt. Servt.
Jno. Bowyer
Indian Agent
Govr. Lewis Cass.
m None of the signatures to this treaty of St. Louis (made March
3, 1817) are those of prominent, well-known Menominee chiefs. See
United States Indian Treaties (Washington, 1837), p. 306. — Ed.
[467 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
5B21.]
Sir — You have permission to trade with the Indians (whis-
key) for Sturgeon not exceeding six Gallons at this time.
Yours respectfully
Jn° Bowyeb,
Indian Agent
Green Bay 23<* July 1817
Mr Louis Grignon
1817: BRITISH SUBJECTS AT GREEN BAY
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 203. Letter Book 2, p. 165.]
Green Bay July 24, 1817
Sir — The Superintendent of Indian Trade directs me in
his letter of the 28th. May last, to report to you, such of the
British Traders, at this place, as are known to me, as having
been hostile to the United States, during the late War with the
British nations, for the purpose of enabling you to communicate
their names to the War Department.
After a particular and strict enquiry, I learn that the fol-
lowing persons were Hostile to the United States during the
late War, that they are British Subjects, in the practice of
trading with the indian tribes, the most of whom have resided
many years and hold landed and personal property here; that
they were particularly active in exciting the Indians, residing
in the Territories of the United States, to take up Arms against
Michillimackinac, Detroit, Sandusky and La prairie du Chien,
acting as their leaders in the several Capacities annexed to their
Names (viz)
James Porlear Senr. Capt. of Milita. and Commissary
James Porlear Junr. Lieut of the Indn. Dept.
Peter Grignon Captain of ditto
Lewis Grignon Lieut of ditto
[ 468 ]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Augustus Grignon Interpr. and Commissary
Presch Grignon ditto ditto
John B. Grignon Serjt, of the Ind. Dept.
Paul Grignon Ensign of ditto
Amable Grignon ditto of ditto
Charles Grignon Interpreter of ditto
Jacob Franks Captain of ditto and Commissary
Joseph Rolette ditto of ditto
Lawrence Filley Serjeant of ditto
Peter Powel Lieut of ditto and
Robert Dickson Superint, and Agent ef ditto.92
82 AH of the above-mentioned inhabitants of Green Bay have been
sketched in previous notes in this volume, save the two youngest.
Joseph Jacques Porlier, Jr., was born at Green Bay about 1796. He
was educated in Montreal, and returned to his Western home about
the commencement of the War of 1812-15. He enlisted as a lieutenant
in the Michigan Fencibles, and served with great credit on the Prairie
du Chien campaign, receiving enconiums from his superior officers;
see Wis. Hist. Colls., x, p. 118; xiii, p. 58. At the close of the war,
young Porlier was recommended for an ensigncy in the regular army
(Id., xiii, p. 93); but preferring civil to military life, he remained at
Green Bay with his father, entering actively into the fur-trade — see
documents post. He married Agatha Grignon, and was for some time
on the upper Wisconsin. Finally, he settled at Grand Kaukauna,
where in the spring of 1839 he died.
Amable Grignon was the youngest of that family, having been born
in 1795, after his father's death. During the War of 1812-15, he
acted as a corporal in the Green Bay detachment. In 1817 he went
to St. Peter's River, under engagement with Duncan Graham (Wiscon-
sin MSS., 5B4). The following spring, in the rendezvous at Lake
Winnipeg, he had the fortune to please the governor of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and was for the following year sent to Athabasca {Ibid.,
4B87, 1C25). The next year he renewed his engagement, and was
stationed at Great Slave Lake (Ibid., 5B13, 56B102). While there, be-
cause of his "well-known resolution" (Ibid., 1C36) he received orders
to arrest traders of the North West Company. The following year he
was at Fort Wedderburn (Ibid., 1C52), and in 1821 at Fort Chippe-
wyan (Ibid., 9B89). In 1823 he returned from the North, just too
late to see his mother before her death, which occurred Oct. 25, 1823
(Ibid., 15B49). At this time he brought with him as his wife, Marie
[ 469 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
All the inhabitants here, except one, are British subjects,
Consisting of about fifty families. They were actively op-
posed to the United States, during the late War.
It may be proper to remark that whilst these and other Brit-
ish subjects are suffered to enter and continue in this Country
as traders, It will be useless in the Goverment to continue
this factory here; principally from the ascendency which an
interrupted intercourse of many years has enabled them to
acquire over the minds of the Indians, supported by extensive
families connections with them, and the advantage they might,
and, in some places have made of it to the prejudice of the
Factories. It would be unnecessary to detail to you the evils
which have arisen and may yet arise, in case of another War
with Great Britain, should those traders be suffered to reside
at and enter this Country.
It may be sufficient to state, what I think you will readily
admit, that this Factory, from the easy access to it, can supply
the wants of the Indians, from the Mouth of this Bay to the
portage of the Ouisconsin. I am very respectfully, Sir, Your
Ob. Serv.
M. Irwin
U. S. Factor
Col. John Bowyer, Indian Agent
7 1 j ,
1 ' . ! . ' ! ! ■ .
1817: WISCONSIN INDIAN CENSUS
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 163.]
Green Bay Agency August 12, 1817
Sir — I have the honor to transmit to you the following esti-
mate of the probable number and residence (as far as I have
Judith Bourassa, whom he seems to have married at Mackinac. Hav-
ing saved a small capital during his service with the Hudson's Bay
Company, Amable went into partnership with his brother Paul, and
secured an outfit for the Wisconsin trade. Later, they were located on
the upper Wisconsin, where Amable made his home at what is now
[470]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
been able to obtain information) of the Indian Tribes of this
Agency.
The Minominees or Fullsavoines estimated at Five hundred
Warriors, They reside during the summer on the Fullsavoine
river, Kantong, Green Bay, Little Kackalin, Big Kackalin,
Winabagoe Lake, River de Loup, But des Morts, Vermillion
Island, an[d] Scattering villages, on the Islands and River of
the Bay. ,
The Winabagoes, Estimated at, from Seven to Eight hun-
dred, Their villages are on the Winabagoe Lake, Fox River,
Green Lake, the portage Ouisconsin and the River au pins.
The Chippewas are intermixed with the Minominies and
Ottawas, it is at present impossible to make a probable esti-
mate of their numbers. They occupy the whole Country from
Michillimackinac to the head Waters of the Mississippi River,
lumbers visit this Agency in the Spring and fall.
The Indians in the vicinity of Millwakee are composed of
Renigadoes from all the tribes around them (viz) The
Saeques, foxes, Chippewas, Minominies, Ottawas, Winabagoes
and Potawatamies, Estimated at Three hundred Warriors.
The tribes from the Lower and upper Mississippi pass this
place on th[eir] Way to Michillimackinac.
It is believed that in the Summer Months fifteen hundred
Warriors can be assembled at this place in fifteen days. I have
not been able to get such information as can be depended upon,
of the number of Woman and Children of the different tribes,
but hope by middle of the next month, I sh&H accomplish it.
From every information I can get of the situation of the In-
dians in this quarter, The whole of the Indians on Green Bay
and its islands and River and from thence to the Head Waters
of the Mississippi, and from the mouth of Fox River, to the
Portage Ouisconsin, and the Indians residing on the West side
Millwackee (except the villages at the mouth of the Millwnc-
kee) should be attached to this agency. I am induced to be-
Grand Rapids. Two of his sons, Jean and Ignace, also lived recently
at that place. — Ed.
[471]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xk
lieve this to be the natural Boundary, as all the indians resid-
ing within these limits can with ease bring all their Peltry by
water to the factory at Green Bay.
I hav the honor to enclose to you a letter addressed to me by
Mr. Irwin the United States Factor at this place, it will give
you a correct idea of the Characters of the Inhabitants on the
Bay. I have the honor to be Sir, Very respectfully Your Ob.
Serv.
Jno. Bowyer
Indian Agent
His Excellency Lewis Cass Govr. of M. Territory
1817: WISCONSIN INDIANS VISIT BRITISH POST
[Source, same as preceding document, but p. 167.]
Michilijmackinac August 20, 1817
Dear Sir — I should have written you sometime since but
because of the very considerable number of Indians who have
been passing and repassing this post for several Weeks. Con-
siderable Bands of Sawks and foxes from the Lower Missis-
sippi, Winabagoes from the Ouisconsin and near Prairie du
Chien, Potawatamies and other tribes from the Illinois and
Chippewas from Lake Superior and intervening Country bor-
dering on the head Waters of the Mississippi, Ottawas from
Lake Michigan, Menominees from Green Bay and Fox River,
with many other scattering Bands of different tribes of Indians
have visited this Post and Drummonds Island during the pres-
ent Season. At Drummonds Island very extensive presents
have been given them, and to the Sawks, Foxes, Winabagoes
and Potawatamies particularly, large supplies of ammunition
and Arms have been furnished.93 It has been reported to me
that the Sawks and Foxes, who left this Post a few days since
on their return to the Mississippi, declared at Drummond's
03 See account of the passing of the Indians in 1817 to Drummond's
Island, in Wis. Hist. Colls., i, pp. 54-57.
[ 472 ]
1815-1S17I
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
Island, their determination to prevent American Traders from
going among them the ensuing Winter, stating that they had
followed the surveyors who had been engaged as they said, in
taking their Lands and had destroyed their marked trees, and
they would not suffer them to return, or any settlers to remove
to the Country, and would cut off or destroy all those who might
have already settled within that district. How far these re-
ports may deserve Credit is in my Opinion doubtful, or if true,
how far they may have been intend [ed] merely to Illicit more
presents deserves some consideration. The profession of all the
Indians in Council, as they passed and repassed this Post, has
been uniijbrnily and decidedly friendly toward the United
States. They [though] I am well aware that implecit confi-
dence may not be given to Indian professions. Yet the issuing
of such extraordinary quantity of arms and ammunition
coupled with these reports, renders it as I conceive a duty on
my part to apprize your Excellency of the facts so far as I
have been able to develope them. The Prophet has lately sent
an emmisary among the Ottawas and Chippewas of this Agency,
who in a national Council with them, held out the idea of a Rup-
ture's soon taking place between the Indians of the South West-
ern part of the United States and the Americans, observing
that all would be quiet for this year but sometime early in the
next they would strike, that the Tomahawk was not entirely
buried, a small part of the handle having been purposely left
out, That all the Indians of that District of Country had prom-
ised their Cooperation and requested the Indians of the Lakes
to join in a quarrel which equally Interested the whole. The
Ottawas immediately gave me notice of the designs of the
Prophet, and in Council tendered their assistance to the Ameri-
can Government in opposing his views, declaring their wish to
remain at Peace with their American father, and determination
to resist the Prophet or any other Indians who should dare
with hostile, Tread upon their Lands to disturb their quiet.
This circumstance is probably only of importance to us in
that, that it goes to evidence the attachment of the Indians of
[ 473 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
this Agency to the American Government and their sincere
wish to remain in a state of peace at least for the present.94
********
I am dear sir Yo Mo. Ob. H. Serv
Wm. Hen. Pothuff
Ind. Agent
His Excellency Lewis Cass Gov of M. Territory
P. S. Enclosed I forward you a communication on the sub-
ject of Trade made by Mr. Morrison who was last and is this
year engaged in Indian trade for the S. West Company on Lake
Superior95
W. H. P.
1817: LOCKWGOD AT PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
4B25.]
Peaeie de Chien Sept 2nd 1817
Dr. Sir — I arrived at this Place on the 30th of August. I
had a verry disagreeable Passage being taken with the fever and
ague at the But d. Mort I arrived at the Portage Wisconsin a
day before any others but being Sick I was two & half days in
the portage. I have had considerable difficulty to get Permission
94 The omitted portion deals only with accounts. — Ed.
95 William Morrison came of fur-trading ancestors, being a grand-
son of Wadin, a Swiss killed in the Northwest in 1782; see Wis. Hist.
Colls., xviii, p. 315, note 39. He was probably a son of Charles Mori-
son, noted ante, p. 249, note 62. Born in Montreal in 1783, William
was an employee of the X Y Company in 1802, and the following win-
ter visited the sources of the Mississippi. Later, he went into the
North West Company, and was stationed at Fond du Lac, Lake Su-
perior, and at inland posts. Pike heard of him, but did not meet him
in 1805-06. In 1816, Morrison entered the South West Company, and
was promoted rapidly; in time, he became one of the principal traders
of the American Fur Company on Lake Superior. His station was for
many years at L'Anse, on Keweenaw Bay; see ante, p. 208, note 98.
After retirement he lived at Montreal, where he died Aug. 7, 1866. — Ed.
[474]
James H. Lockwood
From oil portrait by Samuel M. Brookes, in possession of Wisconsin
Historical Society
1315-18171
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
to Pass as Mr Ofallon is not here but have finally obtained Per-
mission All the Equipments of Rolette are detained until the
arrival of Mr Ofallan what the result will be I cannot say yes-
terday Col. Chambers was at my tent and in conversation asked
if you was coming this way I told him that you had some
idea of coming but was not sure that you could Pass he said
that he thought you could Pass that were you to come that he
would assist you in any thing that he could but for my Part I
think that you may Pass with some difficulty I can give you no
further information. I shall be off from this today I am gain-
ing my health verry fast and none of my men have yet got the
fever I have engaged an interpreter to whom I give two hun-
dred dollars with his Equipment & gun. I am Sir Respect-
fully yours
J. H. Lockwood96
John Lawe
1817: LICENSES AT GREEN BAY
[Source, same as preceding document, but 4B28. Translated from
the French.]
Baye verte 14 September 1817
Dear Sir — I transmit to you the Information that I have
reached here After a Passage of Twelve Days. I received from
Captain Duncain the Goods according to the order I had given
they are in as good condition as I could expect after the ship-
wreck he had the misfortune to endure in the Bay of Wach-
ing'tou. As your property I desire you to give me Instructions
as to how you wish them Disposed of on Your Account.
In regard to the Licence After all the Trouble possible Col
Poyer has decided to give them to every person who asks for
them. He has said Openly that if the matter was at his option
96 This is the well-known pioneer whose recollections of the Prairie
du Chien neighborhood form so important a part of early volumes of
these Collections. See vol. ii, pp. 98-196, wherein he has related almost
all of his early history. Judge Lockwood died Aug. 24, 1857, at his
Prairie du Chien home. — Ed.
[475 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xir
no one should obtain a Licence but Mr Kouse97 Mr. Lawe & Mr.
James.98 I have not been able to open my store here for eight
days. The appearances are bad. I believe that there will be
as many Traders as Houses. Nothing more to mention to you.
I am dear Sir very Respectfully Your obedient Servant
L. Grigxon.
Endorsed: Copy of a Letter to Mr. M. Dousman Michillimakinac.
[Source, same as preceding document, but 1D38.]
Green Bay the 16th. Septr. Igl7
To Coll Boyer Indian Agent of the U. States
Sir — Having been informed by Major Puttuff the Indian
Agent for the Port of McKinac to applie to you for Licence, I
therefore request of you if you Would Grant me a Licence for
the Port of Green Bay and Another for the Fox River.
I Will be oblige to Col1. Boyer to have the Goodness as to
Give me an answer as the Season is Getting much advanced I
Remain With the highest regards Sir your very ob*. Serv1
F. 0[xiva.]
I Will Give Col1. Boyer that Satisfaction that the Goods I
97 Although born an American, Louis Rouse was of the same race
as the majority of the Green Bay habitants. His father, Jacques
Rouse, a refugee soldier (probably from Acadia), settled In 1783 in
Clinton County, N. Y., on the site later known as Rouse's Point, on
Lake Champlain, close to the Canadian boundary. There, Louis was
born about 1792. He served in the American forces during the War
of 1812-15, and at its close secured the suttling for the rifle reginlent,
which business brought him to Green Bay. There, the attraction of
the fur-trade seized upon him, and for a few years he embarked ex-
tensively in that commerce, later becoming much embarrassed and a
debtor to the American Fur Company. He owned and operated a farm
at Green Bay, and was district judge during our pre-territorial re-
gime. About 1836, Judge Rouse became interested in a mill in Mani-
towoc County, and finally removed to the city of that name, where
he died April 19, 1855. SeeWis. Hist. Colls., ii, p. 100— Ed.
98 Thomas P. James, an American trader, who about 1819 was sell-
ing goods for the factor at Menominee River. — Ed.
[ 476 ]
1815-18171 Fur-trade in Wisconsin
have imported from Michil* Were purchased from the House
of David Stone & C° Who have obtained the Same privilege as
the American Fur Comp7
Endorsed: 1 for the Green bay 1 for fox River
1817: TRADERS ARRESTED ON THE MISSISSIPPI
[Transcript in Wisconsin Historical Library. Street Papers. 1
Fort Armstrong [Crawford], 18 Septr, 1817
To Major Morgan
Sir — I have ordered two trading Boats from Mackinac,
Messrs Farnham99 and Darling traders to proceed to Bell fon-
tain to report to Govr. Smith. They have on board in the
capacity of clerks, the two celebrated characters E. Lagotherie
and St. John.1 Their object is to trade on the Demoin river
this season, but to warrant such an act they must obtain Licence
from Gen'l Clark2 you will be pleased to examine their pass-
es Russell Farnham was a New Englander who joined the Astorian
expedition, and went out as clerk on the "Tonquin." In Oregon, he
had numerous adventures, being in the Indian fight at the Dalles;
assisting in building a post near Spokane; and wintering (1812-13)
among the Flatheads. After the sale of Astoria, Farnham left with
Wilson Hunt on the "Pedlar," landed on the coast of Kamschatka, and
made his way overland to Hamburg, whence he sailed for New York.
Re-entering Astor's employ, this was one of his first trips to the West
in the interest of the American Fur Company. He afterwards car-
ried their trade into the Missouri Valley, and among the Sauk and
Foxes, by whom he was awarded a payment in the treaty of 1832. He
died of cholera at St. Louis, in October of that year. — En.
iFor Lagoterie, see ante, p. 446, note 75. Joseph la Perche dit St.
Jean was a Canadian who had come to the Northwest before 1801. In
that year he was trading below Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi.
During the War of 1812-15 he was one of Dickson's agents, being both
lieutenant and interpreter in the Indian department. In 1816 he was
at Mackinac, and as here shown joined the American Fur Company
As late as 1821 he was still trading among the Sauk and Foxes. — Ed.
2 According to H. H. Chittenden, History of the American Fur Trade
(N. Y., 1902), p. 313, the inciting cause for this arrest was the jeal-
[477]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
port and compell them to act conformably to their directions
as far as may be practicable. I am respectfully
T. Chambers,
Lieut [Colonel] Commanding
Fort Crawford 18 Septr 1817
The Bearers Messrs. Farnham and Darling are permitted to
visit St. Louis with their respective boats and crew for the
purpose of procuring a license from Gov'r Clark to trade on the
river Lemoine. They are positively ordered to make report at
all the military posts situated between this and St. Louis and
to Gen'l Smith commanding at military department previous
to arriving at St. Louis during this passage they are positively
prohibited from holding any intercourse or even converse with
any Indians, save what may be absolutely indispensible to pro-
cure immediate wants or to land, deposit or dispose of any
species of goods or merchandize or make any unnecessary halts
or delays.
T. Chambers
Lieut. [Colonel] Commanding
Fort Crawford 19 Septr 1817
Major Morgan
Sir — I have this moment being informed that the masters
of two Boats who I have ordered to St. Louis to obtain the per-
mission of Gov. Clark, previous to opening a trade on the Le-
moine viz Farland [Farnham] and Darling have declared
prior to leaving this place that they were determined to open
the cargoes below fort Armstrong on their way down the river
ousy which St. Louis traders felt for those from Mackinac. They were
carrying licenses from the American agent at Mackinac, hut Cham-
bers arrested them because they had none from the governor either
of Illinois or Missouri. Later, the American Fur Company sued
Colonel Chambers for this action, and after a long legal contest ob-
tained damages to the amount of $5,000. — Ed.
[478]
1815-1817 J
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
they appeared to be hardened Raschels, particularly Lagoterie
who declared that he would not visit St. Louis. I have thought
it necessary to apprise you of this circumstance in order that
the military might not be made the subject of derision by such
named Raschels. the fellow St. John one of the clerks ac-
knowledged here in the presence of Mr. Ofallon that those three
american Sculps hoisted on his boat during the last war at this
place.
T. Chambers
Lieut. [Colonel]
Fort Armstrong 27. Septr., 1817.
Sir — I send to Bell fontain under guard two mackinac Boats
with their masters and crew
You will perceive by the enclosed papers that Lft. Col.
Chambers has positively prohibited them from trading or even
conversing with the Indians untill they shall have obtained
licence from Govr. Clark yet they openly declared that it was
their intention to commence trading two or three miles below
this place. As an officer I have but one course to pursue, to
enforce the orders of my superior officer, for any information
connected with this command I beg permission to refer the
Gen'l to Lt. Blair.3 I have the honor to be
WlLLOUGHBY MORGAN
Major4
3 Lieut. William Preston Smith Blair was a grand-nephew of Col.
William Preston of Virginia, and a brother of Francis P. Blair, editor
of the Washington Globe. He was born in Kentucky, and enlisted as
ensign in 1813, becoming lieutenant in the 2nd rifles the following
year. At the close of the war he returned to civil life, re-enlisting in
1817 as lieutenant in the rifles. In 1818 he was stationed in Arkansas,
and resigned from the army in June, 1821. He died Aug. 3, 1828. His
wife was Hannah Craig; and one son, Patrick M. Blair, became a
well-known Illinois lawyer. — Ed.
* Maj. Willoughby Morgan was a Virginian who entered the army
as captain in 1812; during the war he was brevetted major, and at its
close made an officer in the consolidated rifle regiment. In July, 1815,
he was at Detroit, preparatory to taking over Mackinac from the
[479]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
1817: LICENSES TO FOREIGNERS
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," p. 426. J
Office Indian Trade Geo Town 30 Sep 1817
Geo: Graham Esq acting Secy, of War
Sir — In prosecuting the trade with the several Indian Tribes
in my capacity of Superintendent, I have endeavoared to ascer-
tain the nature of those causes which I have perceived to in-
terrupt, and injure it. I have also attempted through the
agents who managed the concerns of the Factories ; and whose
opportunities to detect and apprehend evils are more directly
at hand, to ascertain whether there are any lurking evils, or
latent fires connected with those causes of interruption which it
was likely to suspect might break out to the injury of our fron-
teer citizens in the event of British or Indian Wars. With a
view to this I addressed a letter to Mathew Irwin the factor at
Green Bay requiring first to inform himself on the subject of
the extent to which licences had been issued by the Indian
agent to foreigners, and 2dly. whether those foreigners now
holding licences, and acting under them had been hostile to
the U S. during the late War with England. I further in-
structed him that if on enquiry he should find these things to
exist, to address a letter to Col: John Boyer, enumerating the
British. He commanded the latter post until relieved in the autumn
by Colonel Chambers. In the summer of 1816, Morgan advanced with
a detachment to Prairie du Chien, where he planned and began the
first Fort Crawford. Early the following year (1817) he was again
relieved by Colonel Chambers, being stationed during 1818 at Fort
Armstrong, on Rock Island. In 1819 he was on the Missouri, near the
present Fort Leavenworth, and two years later at Fort Harrison, in
Indiana. The year 1822 found him again at Prairie du Chien, where
he commanded during the Winnebago troubles of 1826-27. He ap-
pears to have continued in charge of that post until his death there in
April, 1832. He was at this latter time colonel of the 1st infantry.
Morgan was an efficient commander, and especially skilful in managing
the Indians.— Ed.
[ 480]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
persons coming within the description specified5 — they a mount
it seems to Eighteen in number and they are all, not only Brit-
ish subjects, but men who helped to kindle the fires of War in
our Northern and Western territories, and even led on the sav-
ages to the conflict! the extent of mischeif that 18 Men (sup-
posing them to be all) can do in estranging the Indians from
our interests; and exciting them, as their avarice may dictate,
to hostility, and blood, it is hard to estimate. Nor can it be
known how difficult it is to compete with these men in the man-
agement of the Indian trade. Our agents are governed by cer-
tain specific instructions pointing directly to all the branches of
their intercourse. These are known, as well to the British
agents, no doubt, ae to those who act under them. It is no hard
matter so to vary the principles which govern this Trade on our
part, as to realize a monopoly on theirs; and this too without
any real advantage to the Indians. The nature of their loca-
tion with their means of intercourse will preserve to them this
power, nor is there any remedy in my opinion but a total re-
striction. As I have heretofore stated I am aware of the pro-
vision of the law; and the granting of licences is entrusted to
the discretion of the agent. Indeed that on application, with
a profer of surety there seems to be no power of refusal. But
it appears to me the agt. might under instructions from the War
Dept. at least reserve to himself the right to reject the applica-
tion of notorious offenders, and enemies.
It is not at Green Bay only, where our trade is assailed by
the license system, which appears to be so indiscreetly acted on,
but at Prarie du Chien also. There, this evil reigns and with-
out any controul.
It is but justice to Col: Boyer to state, that h^ promises *o
act in future ; to countervail this evil. But there is no such as-
sureanee from Major Wra. II. Puthuff who, Mr. Irwin writes
me he has been informed, and from a direct and respectable
source, has received in one year from the British house of
Bartlett [Berthelot] and Co. at Mackinac, $3,200. for issuing
5 See Irwin's letter to Bowyer, ante, pp. 468-470. — Ed.
31 [ 481 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
licences to their agents; and from other persons various sums
supposed to amount to 4000$ and upwards. His plea is, so I
have been informed, that by demanding 50$ per license, he
should lessen the number of applications !
I make these communications with pain. I am always re-
luctant to present cases which tend to give trouble to the War
Department to which this office is attached; and would prefer
always to cure the evils that exist, than to complain of them.
But where they cannot be destroyed by the power vested in me,
it becomes my duty to represent them, and to hope for a speedy
intervention of a superior authority. Otherwise the views of
the Govt, in relation to Indian trade can be but partially metr
the peacefull influence which it is designed to promote, will be
always liable to disturbance; and the lives of our Citizens re-
main in continual jeopardy. I am etc. etc.
T L Mc.K[enney]
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 203. Letter Book 2, p. 186.]
MICHILLIMACKINAC 5 Oct. 1817.
William Woodbridge Esqr.
Sib — I have taken the liberty to address you as the only
person to whom any individual undeserveignly ill treated can
look to for redress. I shall now minutely give you my cause
of Complaint.
I was last year in the employ of Mr. Bergin at Green Bay,
and in May last Colo. Bowyer ordered me to leave that place
without assigning any just cause for his so doing, although to
the knowledge of Major Taylor, I did by letter request of him
to have my Conduct strictly investigated and if there could be
any proof then adduced of my having in any ways whatever
violated the laws of the Country I was willing to be sent away
or abide by any Verdict which a Court of Investigation might
give, but this satisfaction was denied me. I nevertheless left
Green Bay and shortly after my arrival here, I would have
been employed to go into the interior in the Capacity of a
Clerk for the New York furr Compy.
[ 482]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
The Indian Agent here Major Puthuff objected to my going
as being a British subject, was it a General Order that no Brit-
ish Subject should be allowed to go into the interior I conse-
quently would have no room for Complaint, but when this privi-
ledge is denied to one or two individuals only, is in my Humble
opinion shewing too much partiality. I have been in the Coun-
try now 17 Years and in that space of time no person has ever
had cause to Complain of my interfering with any Business
which was out of the limits of the Trade, I might have been
employed in, this restriction I mention being laid to me alone,
altogether puts it out of my power to earn a Livelyhood, being
brought up to the Indian Trade I would be unfit for any other
occupation. Hoping you will take this into consideration I
have the honor to be Sir, Kespectfully Your Mo. Ob. Serv.
John Deew.8
1817: MISSISSIPPI TRADERS ARRESTED
[Transcript in Wisconsin Historical Library. Street Papers. John
O'Fallon to Gen. William Clark.]
Bellfontain 6 October 1817
Sir — Enclosed you will receive statement from Lieut Col
Chambers to Major Morgan on the Subject of the masters and
clerks of two Mackinac boats which were destined to trade on
the Lemoin river, your concurrence being deemed necessary
preparatory to such a Step these traders were accordingly re-
fused, but having declared notwithstanding intention to trade
in the Missouri T'ry below Fort armstrong. without your
authority as a certain precaution against the execution of such
intention They are sent to you escorted by a military guard
commanded by Lieut. Blair. I am instructed by the Gen'l to
request you to return the inclosures as soon as they can be con-
• John Drew was a well-known merchant of Mackinac, who for
many years was in the Indian trade. In 1836 he accompanied a num-
ber of chiefs to Washington, where he was witness to a treaty. — Ed.
[483]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
veniently spared. I have the honor to be with the highest re-
spect Yr. Most Obt Servt,
Jno. O'Fallojnt.
Act. Asst Agt Gen'l.
1817: INSTRUCTIONS FOR GREEN BAY FACTOR
[MS. in Pension Office, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office Letter
Book "D," p. 429.]
Office Indian Trade Geo: Town 6 Octr. 1817
Mathew Irwin Esq U S. F. Green Bay
Sir — I duly received your communications of august 2d. and
3d. — together with a copy of the letter addressed by you to Col :
Boyer. Considering, as I do, that the very spirit of the law
authorizing the issues of licences to trade with the Indians, has
been violated, and an undue use made of its provisions, equally
prejudicial to the designs of the Govt, in its views of civiliza-
tion, and to the success of the U. S trade, which is itself a
branch of- the same policy, I have reported the state of things
in that country to the acting Secretary of War, at large; and
am not without hope that if no good shall result from your
investigation immediately , and which may be deferred from
the loosseness of the law, the Congress at its next session will
apply a suitable corrective.
****** * *
I am averse to the risque which is involved in letting out
goods to sub-traders. I question very much whether the advan-
tages to the Indians, or to the factory, would not be counter-
balanced by the losses which, from experience, I know wait
upon the practise. Nor should any sub-agencies be exercised
within the limits embraced by the suitable lines for the opera-
tions of the main factory: they destract the tnde, and make
it (the factory) uncertain as to its own business. Any adven-
tures you may make must be made, first, on good security, 2d.
The goods sent must not injure the assortment of the Factory,
3d. The sub agent must trade beyond the limits which in-
[ 484]
1815-1817]
Fur-trade in Wisconsin
elude those Indians that deal with the factory, and 4th. those
to whom the supplies are carried must be such as need them ;
and to serve whom it would be to serve the cause of humanity.
A proper attention to those few particulars can only justify the
practise.
* * * * * * * *
I am etc.
T. L. McK[enney]
1817: LOCAL TRADING INCIDENTS
[MS. in Wisconsin Historical Library. Pressmark: Wisconsin MSS.,
4B43. Translated from the French.]
Kacalin 23 november 1817
Mr. Lawe
Sir and feiend — I Received the honor of your letter in
which you advise me of the position of Mr. Jacobs7 and that he
had not yet notified my brother. I believe that it will be Best
for You to Send some one immediately to Recommend to Him
not to Extend our credits for our Creditors have as much as
they can pay.
In regard to Mr Lu sign an8 you tell me that you have not
been able to get a Reply from Colonel Boyer. I will send
therefore some of my Men soon to the fond du Lac to see whot
is occur ing there and on Their Return I will tell you what
occurs there for about that time I mean to go to La Baye. It
is certain from appearances that he is about to do us Much
harm for the Savages draw more to his side than to Ours or to
speak more accurately they do not come to us at all, especially
those I expected.
I beg you not to be Rebuffed but to try again with Colonel
Boyer for it is better to stop Him now than in the spring.
7 For a note on this person, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xi, p. 225. — ED.
s This trader was the one mentioned in Id., vii, p. 277. Possibly he
was a descendant of the French commandant of Green Bay from
1743-46; Id., xviii, p. 6— Ed.
[ 485]
Wisconsin Historical Collections tvoi. xix
Nothing else to speak of except to beg you to believe me to be
for life Your very bumble Obedient Servant and friend
Augt Grignon
pr. L. Fily
I beg you to assure Mr. Car on of my respects.
Addressed: Mr Lawe, Merchant at La Baye
Endorsed by Lawe: Grignon dated Kakalin 23d Nov. 1817 an answer
[Source, same as preceding document, but 4B46.J
R du S du Boeuf 6 December 1817
To Mr John Law
Sir — This is to inform you that the last Letter I received
from Mr P. Grignon mentions that he is sorrey of I being
badley plassd on this Eiver and that no Indians Winters on
this River.
But for me to take courage and to send on Derouin9 a la
Foursh and Lac Ver and not make aney Credits save my Goods
<& number of Indians will be here this spring as well as to trade
on shush prisess whish I keep his letter to be carefull to keep
up shush Prisess as he mentions : I will strickley in all thinges
act and do faithfully and Honestly according to his Orders
and I am well pleased to be under his direction — he [h]as
been polight to tell me and thank'd me of I drawing his Credits
and making no Cr. and as been mush pleased he inteands to send
Polite her[e] to bring me a few article to assort my goods, if
you do not think this to be the fact I mention you Let me know
by the first oppertunity I shall send you his letter at present
I keep it to get acquaintead with shush prisess. Mr Rouse
winters his Neighbour cells his goods the same Prise as Mr.
Grignon all on Cr. Beauprey will do well, it seems that Mr.
Dickson is gon to see his son on the River S*. Peter and that
Lord S*. Carchel [Selkirk] went down the Mississipie pass'd
the Prerie 2 Captn. one Lieu*, and 13 Solger dont know whare
he is going This is all the ISTewes I got from the Ouiscosien.
• For significance of this expression see ante, p. 200, note 86. — Ed.
[ 486]
1815-1817] Fur-trade in Wisconsin
I wish you and Familey well and Prosperitey and I wish my-
sealf dead and your Propritey savead
J. Bte Jacobs
1ST. B. Mr Grignon did not keep my mean [men] he says
I shall want them.
Addressed: Mr John Lawe Green Bay
1817: GREEN BAY AGENT'S REPORT
[MS. in Pension Building, Washington. Pressmark: Indian Office
Book 203. Letter Book 2, p. 225.]
Green Bay Agency Dec: 15, 181T.
Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of Oct. 12th. In consequence of the Jackson having
left the Bay before I could send my letters on hoard, I could
not answer you sooner. I received by the Jackson three large
and four small medals, these I must hold, until I receive a
further supply of these articles, if I deliver them I shall be
called on in the Spring for Seven large and Twelve small
medals and the same number of Arms and wrist bands.
I permitted Mr. Irwin to read the extract of your letter to
Mr. Jouett, he made no remarks on the subject. I suppose a
Copy of his letter to me, has been forwarded to the Superin-
tendent of Indian Trade at the City of Washington.
On the subject of Joseph Rolette and the hundred Dollars I
received for two Licences, I will forward to you in the Spring
Mr. John Lawe's certificate with whom I transacted this busi-
ness, which certificate I feel confident will satisfy you, I have
acted correctly. And when Rolette arrives here in the Spring,
I will make him give a certificate that will shew his conduct
in this case; has been like every other transaction of his that
has came to my knowledge that of a Scoundrel.
I am pleased you approve of my prohibiting the landing of
spirituous liquors in this Agency, I think [it] will have a good
effect; but could it be so arranged that the Collector at Macki-
naw, should be directed not to give clearances for Spirituous
[ 487 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Vol. xix
Liquors for this place, I then could command the Indians and
traders, until this can be done the traders will run Whiskey
into the Indian Country by the Indians and particularly Green
Bay.
I have directed the traders to ascertain as near as possible
the number of Men, Women and Children who reside in the
Neighbourhood of their establishments, by this arrangement, I
think I shall be able on the return of the traders to give you a
tolerable correct estimate of the Indians residing within the
limits of this Agency. The whole of the Indians left this
about the 1st. of October for their hunting ground except a
few families of old Women and Children who lost their hus-
bands and Brothers in the late War, and are realy starving in
consequence of the frost having destroyed their Corn, and the
wild rice failing, not a tenth part of the latter, they formerly
gathered has been made this fall and I am correct in saying
not ten Bushels of Corn has been saved within Sixty Miles of
this place. I shall be obliged to furnish those Women and
Children with provisions from the public Store. I have the
honor to be Sir, Very respectfully Yo. Ob. Serv.
Jisro. Bowyee.
His Excellency Lewis Cass Gov. of M. T.
[ 488]
Index
[Names of Battles, Bays, Creeks, Forts, Islands, Lacs, Lakes,
Portages, Points, Rapids, Rivers, Rivieres, Treaties, and Wars are
grouped under their respective heads, instead of their individual
names. j
Abbott, James, Detroit merchant, 298.
Abbott, Samuel, Mackinac official, 340,
420; fur-trader, 404; sketch, 340.
Abitagowinan, children baptized, 148.
"Adams," fur-trade vessel, 322.
Adhemar, Angelique, witness, 96, 102 ;
godmother, 100, 103-105, 110, 111, 11G,
118, 121-124, 128, 129; teacher, 159.
Adhemar, Genevieve Blondeau, godmother,
97, 98, 104, 105, 107, 109, 113, 115.
117, 126; witness, 102, 103; marriage,
159.
Adhemar, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 65.
Adhemar, Josephe (Josette), godmother,
123, 129.
Adhemar, Marguerite, godmother, 121,
124, 125 ; witness, 121.
Adhemar, Patrice, godfather, 106, 107,
115, 116, 120, 125, 128 ; baptizes, 143 ;
merchant, 307.
Adhemar, Toussaint Antoine. See St.
Martin.
Agacouchin, Charles, child baptized, 117.
Agacouchin, Jean Bapt:ste, baptized, 117.
Agacouchin, Marguerite, ch Id baptized,
117.
Agassiz, Louis, Lake Superior, 172.
Agathe, a savage, baptized, 18.
Agnes, a slave, baptized, 32.
Aikens, Marianne, marr ed, 394.
Ailleboust, Sieur d'. See Coulonge, and
La Magdeleine.
Alnse (Heins), Joseph Lou's, mother of
2; baptized, 11, 12; godfather, 47, 74.
78, 82, 90, 92, 93 ; baptizes, 77, 78 ;
impresses provisions, 248. See also
Heins.
Ainse, Pierre Joseph, godfather, 82.
Aird, James, Wisconsin trader, xvii, 358,
360, 367-369; arb trator, 270; li-
censed, 431, 444 ; letter from, 316,
317.
Aird, Robert, gives advice, 316.
Albany (N. Y.), settlers, 260; agent at,
329 ; battle near, 243.
Albert, Frangois, godfather, 136, 137 ;
witness, 136.
Albert, Marguerite Basile, godmother,
136, 137.
Alexandre Louis, a slave, baptized, 60.
Allen, Maj. Ebenezer, .Revolutionary sol-
dier, 282.
Alien, Ebenezer junior, Western trader.
282, 283.
American Fur Company, chartered, 337 ;
founder, 291 ; organized, xvi, xx, 164 ;
partner, 348 ; agents, 413, 414, 451,
477 ; traders for. 445, 474 : employees,
102, 170, 171, 176, 190, 288; posts,
171, 173, 178, 208; creditor, 47 J ;.
legal suit, 478 ; privileges, 414, 477 ;
in War of 1812-15, 346-354 ; rival
company, 461 ; buys South West Com-
pany, 451, 458.
American Historical Review, cited, 73.
American State Papers, c ted, 314, 364,
384, 387, 44S.
Amherst, Gen. Jeffrey, invades Canada,
294.
Amherstburg (Ont.), British post, xix ;
settlers, 253, 263, 292, 324 ; sheriff,
276; Indians visit, 314.
Amiot, Agathe Villenonve, godmother,
26, 28; child baptized, 28, 29.
Amiot, Ambro se, baptzed, 40.
Amiot, Augustin, godfather, 36.
Amiot, Blaise, baptized, 26.
Amiot, Jean Baptiste, children baptized,
2-6, 17, 26; godfather, 40, 49; slave
baptized, 47, 64 ; sketch, 155.
Amiot, Louis I, baptized, 6.
Am'ot, Louis II, baptized, 17 ; buried,
153.
Am'ot, Marianne, children baptized, 17,
26; godmother, 31, 46, 47; burled,
155.
489 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Amiot
Amiot, Marie Anne, baptized, 4.
Amiot, Marie Louise, baptized, 3.
Amiot, Marie Ursule, bapt zed, 2.
Amiot, Nicolas, baptized, 3 ; son baptized,
40 ; wife baptized, 42 ; godfather, ^.
Am'ot, Susanne, baptized, 42.
Amiot, Ursule, baptized, 5.
Anderson, John, trader, 277, 279, 286 ;
sketch, 277.
Anderson, Col. John junior, militia of-
ficer, 277.
Anderson, Thomas, Wisconsin trader,
304, 305, 358-360 ; in War of 1812-15,
161 ; accounts, 345 ; in government
employ, 368 ; sketch, 305.
Andreas, A. T., Chicago, 394.
* Angelica," fur-trade vessel, 241, 243,
252.
Angellque, a slave, baptized, 73.
Anne I, a slave, baptized, 13.
Anne II, a slave, baptized, 41, 42.
Antaya, Pierre Pelletier (Lit, founder of
Prairie du Chien, xvii ; letters to,
267-269.
Antaya. See also La Pointe, and Fraser.
Antoine I, a slave, baptized, 27.
Anto'ne II, a slave, baptized, 29.
Antoine III, a slave, baptized, 43.
Antoine IV, a slave, baptized, 49.
Antoine V, a slave, baptized, 66.
Antoine, fur-trade engage^ 313.
"Argus," naval vessel, 363.
"Ariadne," captured vessel, 278.
Arkansas Territory, officials, 340 ; army
post in, 479.
Arundel, William, Illino:s trader, 301.
Ashland, sites near, 174-176; postmaster,
xxi.
Askin, Adelaide (Alice), married, 310;
message for, 326.
Askin, Alexander, message for, 326.
Askin, Archange Barthe, child baptized,
77 ; godmother, 75 ; messages for, 273,
282, 287-289, 294, 297, 307, 324, 325,
337, 342, 374; messages from, 243,
245, 249, 251, 252, 254-256, 258 ; sup-
pl'es for, 242, 248 ; daughter, 263.
Askin, Archange junior, baptized, 77.
Ask:n, Catharine (Kitty), wedding gown,
242, 248. See also Robertson, and
Hamilton.
Askin, Charles, message for, 326.
Askin, Ellen (Nelly), message for, 326.
Askin, James, message for, 326.
Askin, John, child baptized, 77 ; early
l'fe, 298; at Mackinac, 323; letters,
263, 264, 273-275, 282, 283, 286, 287,
295-298; letters to, 260, 261, 264-
266, 271, 272, 276, 277, 279-288, 291,
296, 298-300, 306-310, 336, 337, 372-
[4S
374 ; land scheme, 282 ; sons, 306,
307 ; brot her-in-law, 235, partners,
241, 254; sketch, 75, 234.
Askin, John junior, letters, 322-326, 342;
letter to, 358; sketch, 324.
Askin, John III, employment, 342.
Askin, Madeleine, at Montreal, 263. See
also Richardson.
Askin, Madeleine Pelletier, wife of John
junior, 324, 325, 342.
Askin, Therese, letter for, 272. See also
McKee.
Assumpt;on (Ont.), mission at, 147.
Astor, George Peter, at Montreal, 356 ;
Detroit, 363.
Astor, John Jacob, organizes fur com-
pany, xvi, 164, 191 ; at Montreal, 290,
291 ; buys Mackinac Company, xvi,
336, 337 ; South West Company, 451,
458, 460 ; special privileges, xvii,
354, 355, 362, 423 ; censured, 423 ;
characterized, 369-371 ; employees,
327, 371, 414, 461 ; brother, 363 ; let-
ters, 348, 369, 451 ; letters to, 346-350,
352-354, -360-364; sends goods, 404,
405 ; befriends Wisconsin traders, xxi ;
sketch, 290.
Astoria (Ore.), plans for, 336, 337;
founded, xvi, 291 ; expedition, 348, 371,
463, 477 ; events at, 365 ; clerks, 414 ;
sold to British, 281, 477.
Athabasca, fur-traders in, 163, 290, 469.
Atten. See Bourassa.
Au Poste. See Vincennes (Ind.)
Auger, Etienne, godfather, 20.
Auger, Jean Mar:e, baptizes, 139.
Auger, Ren6 Bonaventure, godfather, 41,
67.
Augustin, a slave, baptized, 5.
Ayer, Edward E., aid acknowledged,
xxi, 299 ; manuscripts, 300.
Badishon, — , message for, 325.
Bailly, Angelique McGulpin, child bap-
tized, 141.
Bailly, Joseph, child baptized, 141, god-
father, 110, 111 ; fur-trader, 366 ; em-
ployee of, 455; sketch, 110, 366.
Bailly, Sophie, baptized, 141.
Bain, James, Alexander Henry's Travels,
170, 183, 194.
Baird, Mrs. Elizabeth Therese, mother
of, 117 ; "Early Days at Mackinac,"
233. See also Fisher.
Baird, Henry S., Green Bay settler, 139 ;
at Mackinac, 408.
Baird, William, Buffalo merchant, 347
Baker, — , Detroit carpenter, 308.
Balls Town, (Que.), springs at, 289.
)]
/
Belt]
Index
part
325 ;
Banneiman, — , navigator, 240.
Baraga, Rev. Frederick, missionary, 208
Barcellou, — , wife, 44.
Bardon, James, aid acknowledged, xii
173.
Baribeau, F., godfather, 21.
Barsaloux, Chippewa Indian, 200, 201
217, 218, 220, 224.
Barthe, Antoine, godfather, 83, 80, 91 ;
witness, 02.
Barthe, Archange, married, 234. See
also Askin.
Barthe, Charles, son, 235.
Barthe, Felicite, godmother, 76, 77
Barthe, Genevieve Beaubien Cuillerier,
child baptized, 90, 97; godmother, 78,
79, 81-85, 87, 88, 91, 93.
Barthe, Jean Baptiste, children baptized,
96, 97 ; slaves baptized, 87, 88, 96 ;
godfather, 95 ; witness, 156, 161 ;
trader, 235, 239, 243, 260, 263
ner, 241 ; message for, 324,
sketch, 235.
Barthe, Louis, at Milwaukee, 253 ; mes
sage for, 326 ; sketch, 253. .
Barthe, Therese Victoire, baptized, 96
97.
Bartlett. See Berthelot.
Baslle, Marguerite. See Albert.
Battles —
Falsely reported, 248.
Bennington, 282.
Dalles of Columbia, 477.
Fallen Timbers, 297.
Lake Erie, 351, 361.
Mackinac Island, 362.
Nile, 281.
Plattsburgh, 367.
Seven Oaks, 462.
Thames, 184, 214, 439.
Tippecanoe, xvili, 322, 439.
Yorktown, 273.
Batillot. See Clermont.
Baudion, Catherine Govreau, children
baptized, 144.
Baudoin, Frangois, children baptized,
144.
Baudoin, rierre, baptized, 144.
Baudoin, Theotis, baptized, 144.
Bayfield, Admiral Henry W., charts, Lake
Superior, 174, 215.
Bayfield County, sites in, 174.
Bays —
Aboukir, battle in, 281.
Georgian, routes via, xv.
Grand Traverse, Indians on, 412.
Green, described, 438 ; navigation,
437 ; trade route, 378, 380, 385 ; af-
fluents, 177, 187, 401 ; Indians near,
470-472.
170, 20S, 474. See a!ao
Keweenaw,
L'Anse.
La Ronde, 360.
Matchedash, 21, 58, 147 ; trade-route,
358, 359; war expedition to, 361, 367.
St. Louis. 173.
St. Therese. See Keweenaw.
Sturgeon, portage, 400.
Washington, shipwreck in, 475.
I'.a/.inet, Jean Baptiste, voyagrur, 184,
185, 189, 191, 192, 194, 195. 197-202,
204, 206, 212, 216-218, 220, 224; in
charge of invoice, 225.
Bear's Oil. See Makometa.
Beaubassin, Pierre Joseph Hertel, sieur
de commandant at Chequamegon, 175 ;
godfather, 45, 46.
Beaubien, Angelique Cuillerier dit, mar-
ried, 243, 244.
Beaubien, Charles, child baptized, 141.
Beaubien, Jean Baptiste, wife, 158 ; at
Chicago, 394 ; Miiwaukee, 455.
Beaubien, Jean Marie, reclaims anchor,
326.
Beaubien, Marguerite. See Nicole.
Beaubien, Marie, child baptized, 141 ;
slave baptized, 33.
Beaubien, Marie junior, baptized, 141.
Boaujeu-Villemonde, Louis Lienard, sieur
de, godfather, 33-35, 37, 52-56, 59-
61 ; slave baptized, 56, 60 ; sketch,
33.
Beaulieu, — , voyageur, 185, 187, 209,
219.
Beaulieu, Catherine Brian dit, baptized,
35.
Beaulieu, Franchise, daughter baptized,
35.
Beaul'eu, Jean Brian dit, daughter bap-
tized, 35.
Beaunre, Louis, Wisconsin trader, 364,
367 ; wintering post, 486 ; sketch, 364.
Beaupre\ Louis junior, at Helena, 364.
Beausolellle. — . trader, 239.
Beauvais, Marie Anne Vigor, godmother,
72-74.
'•Beaver," Astor's vessel, 348.
"Beaver," lakes vessel, 170.
Beaver Club, Montreal, described, 372,
373.
F.eecroft, Daisy G., aid acknowledged,
xxil.
Bellestre, Marie Francois ricote\ sieur
de, commandant of Detroit, 13.
Bellestre, Franco:se Marianne. See
Quindre.
Belleville (111.), settlers, 395.
Bellfontaine (Mo.), military post, 477,
479, 483.
Belt, Robert B., factor, 386, 388, 389.
[491]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Bennett
Bennett, Lieut. Thomas, sent to Grand
Portage, 236, 237, 243, 248 ; accounts,
247, 259.
Benton, Thomas Hart, legal opinion,
441, 442.
Bergin, — , Green Bay, trader, 482.
Berthelot, Jean Baptiste, godfather,
129 ; power of attorney, 334 ; letters,
396-398, 404, 405 ; notes, 375 ; furs,
304, 318, 355, 357 ; goods, 341, 306 ;
at St Joseph's Island, 342; licenses,
431, 481 ; sketch, 304.
Bertrand, Barbe Felicite Pillet, god-
mother, 106, 107.
Bertrand, Eustache, baptized, 83.
Bertrand, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 75 ;
child baptized, 138 ; wife, 129 ; wit-
ness, 99 ; godfather, 131.
Bertrand, Joseph, baptized, 83.
Bertrand, Joseph Laurent, children bap-
tized, 75, 76, 83 ; baptizes, 117 ; god-
father, 106, 107.
Bertrand, Josephe,' baptized, 138.
Bertrand, Laurent, bapt zed, 75.
Bertrand, Marguerite. See Bourassa.
Bertrand, Marguerite Kodeckoi, baptized
129.
Bertrand, Marguerite Ouigouisence, child
baptized, 138.
Bertrand. Marie Therese Du Lignon,
children baptized, 75, 76, 83.
Besnard, Jean Louis. See Carignan.
Beteile, — , messenger, 395.
Biauswa, Chippewa chief, 174.
Bichibichikoue, Marie, baptized, 50.
Biddle, Nicholas, edits Lewis and Clark's
narrative, 313.
Billon, Bartholemi, trader, 271.
Bissonet, — , child, baptized, 65.
Bissonet, Michel, baptized, 65.
B'ssoniere, Genevieve, married, 158.
Black Hawk, village s'te, 446 ; Autobi-
ography, 314.
Black' Rock (N. Y.), lake port, 354.
Black Wolf. See Shounkchunk.
Blackwood, Thomas, Montreal merchant.
334, 335
Bla nville, Jean Baptiste Celeron junior,
sieur de, slave, baptized, 7.
Blair, Francis P., editor, 479.
Blair, Tatr ck M., Illinois lawyer, 479.
Blair, William Preston Smith, army of-
ficer, 479, 483.
Bleaklev, Josiah, fur-trader, 324 ; arbi-
trates dispute, 275.
Blondeau, — ■, witness, 44.
BJondeau, Anne Villeneuve, godmother,
18, 23, 36-38, 43, 47, 48; slave bap-
tized, 51 ; bur ed, 154. See also Guil
lory.
[492
Blondeau, Bartholemi, w tness, 26, 27.
29, 30, 42-44, 47 ; godfather, 60.
Blondeau, Genevieve. See Adhemar.
Blondeau, Jean Marie, godfather, 13, 16,
Blondeau, Joseph Bartholemi, baptized,
10, 11.
Blondeau, Josephe Marguerite, baptized,
18.
Blondeau, Marguerite, godmother, 60..
Blondeau, Mar e Anne, baptized, 4.
Blondeau, Marie Josephe De Selle, chil-
dren baptized, 11, 14, 18 ; godmother,
10, 11, 20, 21, 60.
Blondeau, Marie Josephe, baptized, 9, 10.
Blondeau, Michel, bapt zed, 4.
Blondeau, Thomas, children baptized, 4,
9, 11, 14, 18.
Blondeau, Thomas junior, bapt;zed, 14.
Blot, Jerome, child baptized, 98.
Blot, Marie Magdeleine, baptized, 98.
Boilvin, Nicolas, Indian agent, xviii,.
314-316, 339; in War of 1812-15,
345 ; letters, 395, 396 ; notes, 397 ;
orders from, 398 ; complaints against,
459 ; sketch, 314.
Bciser, — , godfather, 62.
Boisguilbert, Agathe Villeneuve, god-
mother, 9, 14, 16, 18, 21, 26, 52. See
also Souligny, and Roy.
Boisguilbert, Frangois, wife, 2, 9, 14,
16 ; slave, 13 ; death, 52.
Bolon, Gabriel, children baptized, 3, 4,
14, 20.
Bolon, Jean Louis, baptized, 4.
Bo'on, Joseph, baptized 14.
Boion, Louise, godmother, 23, 38.
Bolon, Marie Frangoise, baptized, 20.
Bolon, Marie Louise. See Guillory.
Bolon, Philippe, bapt'zed, 3.
Bo'on, Susanne Menard, children bap-
tized, 14, 20 ; godmother, 21.
Bon Coeur, children baptized, 9.
Bonaparte, Napoleon, mentioned, xvii,
28x, 285, 351, 372.
Bonasa umoelluc See Grouse.
Bonga, Charlotte, baptized, 97.
Bonga, Jean, children bapt'zed, 83, 91 r
buried, 157.
Bonga, Marie Jeanne, children baptized,
83, 97.
Bonga, Rosalie, baptized, 83.
Bonneterre, August n, children baptized,
128, 129.
Bonneterre, Julie, baptized, 129.
Bonneterre, Marie, baptized, 128.
Boone, Daniel, captured, 265.
Boston, prices of furs in, 453.
Bostw'ck, — . See Stone, Bostwick &
Co.
Brisbe]
Index
from
186
Bostwick, Henry, fur-trader, 254, 401 ;
partner, Ivil ; children baptized, 100;
sketch, 10U.
Bostvv ck, Henry junior, baptized, 100
Bostwick, Marie Josephe, baptized, 100
Bouche, Joseph, child baptized, 01.
Bouche, Paul, baptized, 01.
Boucherville, Pierre Amable Boucher.
sieur de, at Mackinac, 322.
Boucherville (Que.), voyageur
180 ; residents, 165.
Bouga. See Bonga.
Boulon, — , voyageur, 239.
Boundaries : Wisconsin-Michigan
187, 212.
Bourassa, Agathe, baptized, 121.
Bourassa Alexandre, baptized, 06, 97,
100; godfather, 132, 134, 138.
Bourassa, Amable, baptized, 133.
Bourassa, Angel que, baptized, 68, 69.
Bourassa, Anne Agnes, baptized, 47.
Bourassa, Anne Catherine, baptized, 19.
Bourassa, Anne Charlotte Veronique
Chevalier, children baptized, 13, 19,
34, 39, 47, 55, 62, 63, 68, 69; god-
mother, 43, 58.
Bourassa, Archange, baptized, 80; god-
mother, 112, 116, 125, 132, 141.
Bourassa, Charles Louis, baptized, 39.
Bourassa, Charles Jean Baptiste, bap-
tized, 62, 63.
Bourassa, Charlotte, godmother, 36-38
See also Langlade.
Bourassa, Dan el, baptized, 33, 34 ; chil-
dren baptized, 79, 80, 96, 97, 100,
111, 112, 121, 133 ; slaves baptized,
97, 107, 109, 115 ; witness, 108 ; bap-
tizes, 98 ; churchwarden, 160, 161 ;
sketch, 33.
Bourassa, Daniel junior, baptized, 79.
Bourassa, Eloy, baptized, 100 ; children
baptized, 133 ; godfather, 133, 141 ;
church warden, 162 ; sketch, 162.
Bourassa, Eusebe, baptized, 133.
Bourassa, Tgnace, dit La Ronde, child
baptized, 28 ; godfather, 21, 27, 68.
Bourassa, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 80.
Bourassa, Loon, baptized, 111 ; god-
father, 141.
Bourassa, Louis Francois Xavier, bap-
tized, 55.
Bourassa, Magdeleine, baptized,
See also McGulp n.
Boiivassa, Marguerite, baptized
godmother, 111-113, 124.
Bourassa, Marguerite Bertrand, children
bapt zed, 79, 80, 96, 97, 100, 111.
121, 133, 134; godmother, 81-85, 87.
88, 90, 92, 95, 147, 148.
Bourassa, Marie, baptized, 133.
Bourassa, Marie Atten, eehlldren bap-
t zed, 133; godmother, 133.
Bourassa, Marie Catherine Luplante de
Lerige, goumother, 10, 15, J i, 19, 20,
24, 25, 27, 80, 32-35, 37, 41, 44-
47, 49, 50, 53, 58.
Bourassa, Marie Judith, baptized, 111 ;
goumother, 132, 141, 143 ; married,
469, 470.
Bourassa, Michel, baptized, 96
Bourassa, Rene" I, son, 2H ; slaves bap-
t zed, 25, 28, 29, 36, 60 ; witness, 23,
31, 45, 47 ; godfather 13, 22, 23, 28,
37, 43; slaves buried, 153, 154.
Bourassa, Rene II, chldren baptized,
12, 19, 33, 34, 39, 47, 55, 63, 68, 60;
slaves baptized, 43 ; slaves buried,
153, 154 ; godfather, 21, 38, 45, 56,
64.
Bourassa, Rene" III, baptized, 13 ; god-
father, 69.
Bourassa, Therese, baptized, 133; god-
mother, 134, 138.
Bourbon, — , voyageur, 188.
Bourbonniere, Jean Baptiste, buried,
156.
Bourdon, Genevieve Plessey, godmother,
118.
Bourgouin, Marie Elizabeth. See Vaii-
lancourt.
Bouriess, Louis de, child baptized, 106.
Bouriess, Magdeleine, baptized, 106.
Bouthillier, Elm re, married, 336
Bouthillier, Frangois, merchant. 344,
345 ; goods se zed, 425 ; licensed, 441,
446; godfather, 104, 110, 111; wit-
ness, 108 ; sketch, 104.
Boutin, — , slave bapt zed, 9.
Bowyer, Col. John, Indian agent, at
Ch cago, 391 ; Green Bay, 392, 3!)!),
407, 432, 441, 447, 470, 481, 4S2 ;
grants licenses, 468, 475, 476, 485 ,•
letters, 440, 466, 467, 470-472, 480,
484, 487, 488 ; letter to, 481 ; sketch,
391.
Boyd, C'apt. E., vessel captured. 278.
Boyer, Charles, trader, 238 ; godfather,
63.
Boyer, Charles junior, baptized, ('>."».
Boyer, Josephe Marguerite du L'gtmn,
child baptized, 63 ; godmother, 65, 66,
72.
Boyer, Michel, ch id baptized, 63; wit-
ness, 66; godfather, 64. 65.
Bradstroet, Col. John, expedi'ion. 276.
Brant, Joseph, correspondence, 2°2.
Brasse, (a measure) , term explained, 216.
Br an See Beau ieu.
Brisbe. Francois, dit La Grandeur, chil-
dren bapt zed, 41, 49, 56, 57, 62.
[ 493 ]
100.
80
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Brisbe
BrisbS, Josette Catherine, baptized, 62.
Brisbe, Marianne, baptized, 41.
Brisbe, Marianne Parent, children bap-
tized, 41, 49, 56, 57, 62 ; godmother,
67, 72.
Br'sbe, Marie Franchise, baptized, 49 ;
buried, 152.
Brisbe, Pierre Francois, bapt zed, 56.
Brisbois, Antoine, godfather, 106.
Brisbois, Michel, Wisconsin trader, 318,
345 ; arrested, 425.
Brit sh fur-traders, in American terri-
tory, xix, 376-379, 401-404 ; 441, 443 ;
exclusion from fur-trade, 403-405,
423, 432, 457, 458, 467.
Bronaugh, Jeremiah W., transport agent,
385, 464.
Brookes, Samuel M., portrait by, 474.
Brown, Edward O., aid acknowledged,
xxi.
Brown, McDonell & Co., Pittsburgh
merchants, 372.
Bruce, — , trader on Assiniboin, 238.
Bruce Mines (Ont), settlers, 132.
Brule, Chippewa Indian, 216.
Brunot, — , voyageur, 219.
Brunson, Alfred, Indian agent, 184.
Brush, Elijah, Detroit merchant, 310 ;
message for, 326, 337.
Buffalo (N. Y.), Indian agency, 340;
port, 342, 354 ; letter from, 346, 347 ;
H storical Society Publications, 276.
Bunnell, — , fur-trader, 299.
Burlington Heights, British abandon,
349.
Burt, W. A., surveyor, 177, 187.
Burton, Clarence M., library, 234 ; aid
acknowledged, xxi.
Butler, — , mentioned, 436.
Butler, Col. Anthony, retakes Mackinac,
397, 398.
Butte des Moris, Indian Bite, 417; fur-
trade post, 90, 400, 474 ; settlers,
368; treaty at, 434.
CabannS, John P., St. Louis merchant,
397.
Cadeau. See Cadotte.
Cadieu, — , wife, 22.
Cadieu, Catherine, slave baptized, 22 ;
godmother, 23.
Cadott (Wis.), origin of name, 214.
Cadotte (Cadeau, Cadot), Athanase, chil-
dren baptized, 60, 65, 70.
Cadotte, Augustin, child baptized, 144 ;
, sketch, 145.
Cadotte, Catherine, child baptized, 46,
47.
Cadotte, Charlotte, baptized, 60.
Cadotte, Frangois, baptized, 144.
Cadotte, Jean Baptiste I, Henry's part-
ner, 238 ; at La Po nte, 175 ; children
baptised, 46, 47, 60, 65, 66, 69, 70;
daughters married, 70.
Cadotte, Jean Baptiste II, baptized, 65,
66 ; child baptized, 72 ; trader, 69,
171, 173, 174.
Cadotte, Jean Baptiste III, trader, 214.
Cadotte, Joseph, interpreter, 145.
Cadotte, l'Amainbile, child baptized,
144, 145.
Cadotte, Marguerite, baptized, 112.
Cadotte, Marie Mouet, child baptized, 72.
Cadotte, Marie Renee, baptized, 46, 47.
Cadotte, Michel, baptized, 69; children
baptized, 112, 113 ; wife, 175 ; son,
189, 190 ; son in-law, 190 ; rival, 190 ;
trading posts, 171, 175, 176, 179, 184,
203, 214 ; employees, 168 ; letter, 212.;
sketch, 69.
Cadotte, Michel junior, baptized, 112 ;
joins Malhiot, 189, 190; relatives,
207 ; commended, 205, 206 ; supplies
for, 218, 227, 228; sketch, 184.
Cahokia (111.), court at, 264; governor,
398, 399; traders, 6; residents, 301,
303, 344, 345, 366, 395.
"Caledonia," fur-trade vessel, 308 ; In
navy, 364.
Calhoun, John C, secretary of war, 140»
Cameron, Duncan, witness, 102.
Cameron, Murdock, trader, 140.
Campau, — , messenger, 253, 254.
Campbeil, — , Mackinac resident, 294.
Campbell, Henry Colin, "Father Men-
ard," 187.
Campbell, John, Indian agent, xvlii, 314*
323, 332 ; death in duel, 323, 325, 333,
342 ; sketch, 323.
Campbell, Marie. See Paquin.
Campbell, Robert, witness, 102.
Campeau, Hippolyte, godfather, 77.
Campion, Alexis, godfather, 84, 92.
Campion, Etienne, godfather, 71, 79, 81,
84, 85, 87, 91, 93, 100, 102; witness,.
156, 161 ; baptizes, 96, 100, 106.
Campion, Therese. See Dubois.
Canada, divided into provinces, 272.
Canadian Pacific Railway, route, 270;.
stations, 167.
Canoes, described, 220 ; varieties, 204.
Canton. See Kantong.
Cape Girardeau (Mo.), Spanish grant at,.
265.
Carbonneau, Archange, baptized, 135.
Carbonneau, Archange, baptized, 135.
rarbonneau, Joseph, bapt'zed, 135.
Carbonneau, Louis. See Provengal.
Carbonneau, Louis junior, baptized, 134.
[494]
Chambers]
Index
Cardin, Charles Louis, baptized, 63.
Cardin, Charlotte, baptized, 37.
Cardin, Constante Chevalier, children
baptized, 31, 32, 37, 43, 58, 63; god-
mother, 63, 65. See also Heins.
Cardin, Frangois Louis, children bap-
tized, 31, 37, 43, 58, 59, 63; slave
baptized, 65, 70, 73 ; slave buried,
154 ; godfather, 83 ; notary, 75, 156 ;
bur'ed, 155.
Cardin, Louis Frangois, baptized, 58.
Cardin, Marianne. See La Fantaisie.
Cardin, Marie, baptized, 43.
Cardin, Mar e Therese, godmother, 74.
Cardin, Veronique, baptized, 31, 32 ;
godmother, 73 ; see also Sanguinet.
Cardinal, — , son baptized, 44.
Cardinal, Frangoise, godmother, 32. See
also Lacroix.
Cardinal, George, baptized, 44, 45.
Car gnan, Felicite" Pillet, godmother, 79.
80, 82-95, 98-100, 102.
Carignan, Felicite junior, buried, 157.
Carignan, Frangois Duclos dit, child
baptized, 63.
Carignan, Jean Louis Besnard dit, god-
father, 79, 82, 87, 94, 95 ; slave bap-
tized, 79 ; baptizes, 95, 100, 102, 116 ;
witness, 149, 156, 161 ; church-
warden, 160 ; drowned, 156, 157 ;
sketch, 157.
Carignan, Marie Josephe Duclos dit,
bapt zed, 63.
Caris, Joseph de, godfather, 11, 14.
Carleton Sir Guy, governor of Canada,
262.
Caron, Claude, children baptized, 3, 12 ;
slave baptized, 41 ; message for, 486.
Caron, Claude junior, baptized, 3.
Caron, Frangoise Angelique, baptized, 12.
Caron, Joseph Gautier dit, children bap-
tized, 120, 121; godfather, 132; mar-
ried, 95.
Caron, Joseph Gautier dit junior, bap-
tized, 120.
Caron, Louise Vasseur, child baptized,
120, 121 ; godmother, 122.
Caron, Marie, bapt:zed, 121.
Carp, in Lac du Flambeau, 188.
Carver, Jonathan, at Grand Portage,
169 ; names river, 313.
Cashaosha, Chippewa chief, 187.
Cass, Lewis, commission from, 142 ; on
Lake Superior, 178, 183, 362 ; gov-
ernor of Michigan Terr'tory, 350, 351,
381 ; superintendent of Indian affairs.
443 ; instructs Puthuff, 427, 428, 460,
461 ; letters, 376-379 ; letters to, 405-
413, 415, 417-427, 430-432, 440, 457.
458, 467, 470-474, 487, 488; sketch.
350, 351, 379; portrait, 379.
Catherine I, baptized, 35.
Catherine II, a slave, baptized, 33.
Cather ne III, a slave, baptized, 41.
Catherine IV, a slave, baptized, 56.
Catherine V, a slave, baptized, 115.
Catherine VI, a slave, child baptized, 59.
Catherine VII, a slave, child bapt zed,
71.
Catherine VIII, a slave, buried, 153.
Catillan, — , baptizes, 116.
Catin, Frangois, godfather, 118.
Catin, Nicolas, godfather, 73, 74.
Cauchois, Angelique Sejourn6e, dit Sans
Chagrin, child baptized, 71 ; god-
mother, 70, 72, 76, 77.
Cauchois, Jean Bapt ste, child baptized,
71 ; godfather, 70, 74.
Cauchois, Jean Baptiste George, bap-
tized, 71.
Celoron, P.'erre Joseph, godfather, 8.
Cerinaud, — , priest at Kingston, 136.
Cerr£, Gabriel, godfather, 105.
Chaboillez (Chaboiller, Chaboyer), Au-
gustin, baptized, 6 ; godfather 61.
Chabo llez, Charles, children baptized, 4,
6, 9, 13, 17, 31, 34, 38 ; godfather,
11; slaves baptized, 22, 29, 32, 45;
buried, 154.
Chaboillez, Charles (Charlotte) Doml-
telle, baptized, 34.
Chaboillez, Charles Jean Baptiste, of
Mackinac, baptized, 4 ; godfather, 72,
75 ; churchwarden, 160, 161.
Chaboillez, Charles Jean Baptiste, of
Three R;vers, in North West Com-
pany, 239, 245 ; wife sends supplies,
244, 245 ; sketch, 239.
Chaboillez, Frangois, of Three Rivers,
239.
Chaboillez, Frangois Hippolyte, baptized,
31 ; godfather, 77 ; trader, 241, 258.
Chaboillez, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 72,
73.
Chabo'llez, Louis Joseph, baptized, 6 ;
godfather, 82 ; trader, 344.
Chaboillez, Marianne Chevalier, chil-
dren baptized, 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 31, 34,
38 ; godmother, 7, 12, 29, 43-45, 55,
59, 62.
Chaboillez, Marianne Marthe, baptized,
17; godmother, 59, 63, 64, 66. See
also Farent.
Chaboillez, Marie Renee, baptized, 38.
Chaboillez, Paul Amable, baptized, 9 ;
godfather, 34 ; witness, 45, 47.
Chaboillez, Pierre Louis, baptized, 13 ;
baptizes, 75.
Chabo llez family, at Mackinac, 239.
Chabot, Count, aids Askin, 325.
Chambele, child baptized, 51.
Chambers, Joseph, Indian agent, 303.
[495 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Chambers
Chambers, Col. Talbot, commandant at
Mackinac, 398, 4^0, 422, 480; at
Green Bay, 437, 447; at Prairie du
Chien, 459, 475, 4S0 ; arrests traders,
477-479, 483; characterized, 447;
sketch, 420.
Champagne, Charles Michel, baptized,
122.
Champagne, Jean Baptiste Gourn dit,
buried, 151.
Champagne, Marguerite Louise1, baptized,
122. See also Rousseau.
Champagne, Simon, children baptized,
119, 122; godfather, 114.
Chandonnet, Charles, baptizes, 101, 118;
godfather, 101, 128, 129 ; killed, 160 ;
sketch, 305.
Chandonnet, Charlotte Marcot, buried,
159. k
Chandonnet, Jean Baptiste, kills uncle,
308 ; sketch, 159, 160.
Chanteloups, Agnes Agathe Amiot
Chartres dit, children baptized, 31, 36
Chanteloups, Charles August n Chartres
<7,it, baptized, 36.
Chanteloups, Charles Chartres dit, chil-
dren baptized, 31, 36.
Chanteloups, Marianne Chartres dit,
baptized, 31.
Chapoton, Alex's, godfather, 67, 68.
Chapoton, Marie, marriage, 160.
Chappu, Stanislaus, Wiscons n trader
367.
Charlebois, Andre, child baptized, 115 :
eMld buried, 158 ; wife baptized, 94 ;
buried, 158.
Charlebo's, Josette junior, baptized, 115
Charl bois, Josette Hamelin, child bap
tized, 115 ; child and self buried, 158.
Charles I, a slave, baptized, 8, 9.
Charles II, a slave, baptized, 11.
Charles III, a slave, baptized, 29.
Char es IV, a slave, child baptized, 43
Charles V, a slave, baptized, 43.
Charles, Ottawa chief, baptized, 85.
Charlps Alexandre, baptized. 148.
Charles Joseph, a slave, baptized, 47.
Charlevoix, Pierre Francois Xavier de.
traveller, 175.
Charlotte, a Ch ppewa, baptized, 102.
Charlotte, an Indian, child baptized, 66.
Charlotte, a slave, baptized, 42 ; buried,
154
''Cha "lo'te." Lake Huron vessel, 286,308
Chartres. See Chanteloups.
( hauret. Sec Chorette.
Chauvin, Angolhiup, baptized, 119.
Chativin, Jacques, wife baptized, 119
Chenier, Anto ne, St. Louis merchant.
397.
Chen'er, Catherine. See Kimlouenan.
Chequamegon. See La Pointe.
Chesnier, Eticnne, godfather, 29-31,
wife bapt zed, 3.
Chevalier, Amable, children baptized, 93,
95, 101.
Chevalier, Angelique, baptized, 3 ; god-
mother, 22, 27, 31-33.
Chevalier, Anne Charlotte Veronique
(Nanette), bapt zed, 3; godmother, 6,
7. See also Bourassa.
Chevalier, Anne Therese Esther, bap-
tized, 3 ; godmother, 18, 21, 26, 27.
Chevalier, Archange, baptized, 125.
Chevalier, Bartholemi, child baptized, 85.
C'heval er, Catherine, child baptized, 101.
Chevalier, Charles (L'avoine), baptized, 3.
Chevalier, Constance (Coussante), bap-
t"zed, 2. See also Hcins and Cardin.
Chevalier, Jean Baptiste I, voyageur, 8,
10, 12, 13 ; children baptized, 2-4 ;
slaves, 5, 6, 18, 67 ; godfather, 19.
Chevalier, Jean Baptiste II, godfather,
85, 86.
Chevalier, Jean Baptiste III, baptized,
82.
Chevalier, Jean Baptiste IV, bapt: zed,
124.
ChevaTer, Joseph, baptized, 82.
Chevalier, Joseph Maurice, baptized, 3.
Chevalier, Josephe (Josephte), child
baptized, 141.
Chevalier, Josephe junior, bapt zed, 141.
Cheva'ier, Josephe Marguerite, bapt zed,
2 See also Locat.
Chevalier, Louis, godfather, 12, 14.
Jhevalier, Louis junior, children bap-
tized, 124, 125.
Cheval'er, Louis Pascal, bapt zed, 3 ;
godfather, 18.
Chevalier, Louis Pascal junior, child
baptized, 141.
Chevalier, Louis Therese, baptized, 2.
Chevalier, Luc, bapt zed, 4 ; godfather,
80; children bapCzed, 82, 83.
Chevalier, Marguerite, baptized, 82
Cheval er, Marguerite junior, baptized,
85 ; godmother, 99.
rhevalier, Mar anne. See Chaboillez.
Chevalier, Marie, baptized, 93.
^hevalier, Marie (Manon), baptized, 2.
See also Dumee.
Chevalier. Marie (Manon) Frangoise
Alavoine, godmother, 8, 11-13, 15, 17,
32
r,heval er, Marie Louise, baptized, 95,
101.
Chevare, Donrnique, children baptized,
86. 87.
Chevare, Etimne, baptized, 87.
^hevare. Magde'eine, baptized, 88.
C'hevreaux, — , child baptized, 30.
[496
Corbin]
Index
Chicago, site, 4, 17 ; on trade route, 387 ;
massacre, 158, 159 ; Indians near, 408,
419; treaties at, 100; traders, xv,
421 ; Indian agency, 340, 379, 385,
399, 400, 407, 455, 456; post at, 384,
420, 432; fur-trade factory, xviii, 311,
389-392, 394, 395, 443, 455; goods
for, 432, 440; factor, 320, 327, 331-
333 ; residents, 158, 455 ; expedition
(1832), 309. See also Fort Dearborn
Chicago and Northwestern Railway,
station, 212.
Chichet, Ignace, adopts child, 128.
Chichet, Ignace junior, baptized, 128.
Chingwacok, child baptized, 148.
''Chippewa," trad ng vessel, 340.
Chippewa County, sites in, 214.
Chippewa Falls, trading post n^ar, 184.
Chippewa (Saulteur, Sauteux) Ind ans,
habitat, xiv, 69, 471 ; villages, 173.
174, 181-183, 187, 194, 197; migra-
tions, 171 ; camping ground, 174 ;
handicraft illustrated, 174 ; food sup-
ply, .189 ; possess copper, 183 ; lan-
guage, 208 ; religious rites, 194 ; mar-
ried to whites, 85, 93, 149, 179, 361 ;
baptized, 23, 54, 102, 108, 112, 118,
119 ; children baptized, 98, 99, 103-
107, 112, 113, 110, 124, 125, 127, 129,
131, 140, 141, 144, 148; buried, 157:
own slaves, 134; in War of 1812-15,
190 ; request truce, 350 ; visit Macki-
nac, 412, 420, 473; council, 417-422.
friendly, 70, 450 ; visit Dnimmond
Island, 472; portrait of cli'.cf, 20S.
Chittenden, H. II., American Fur-Trade,
477.
Chopin, a slave, son baptized, 67.
Chopine, trade-term explained, 216.
Chorette (Chauret, C'haurette, Choret),
Josephe, baptized, 140.
Chorette, Lizette, married, 375.
Chorette, Margeurite, children baptized,
140; godmother, 148, 149.
Chorette, Marguerite junior, baptized,
140.
Chorette, S"mon, children baptized. 140;
daughter married, 375 ; clerk for X Y
Company, 170, 171, 178, 184, 185, 193,
202, 203. 209. 210; at portage, 190;
fort, 192, 194, 198, 207, 211; visits
Malhlot, 206; sketch, 206.
Choumen. See Kinonchamee.
Chouteau, Auguste, Indian agent, 315,
376 ; partner, 297.
Chouteau family, relatives, 462
Chovret, Marguerite, godmother, 145.
Christie, Gen. Gabrel, death, 281. 282.
Christine, daughter of Ouind'gouich.
baptized, 66.
Christy, Joseph Philippe, baptized, 139
Christy, Julie Moses, child baptized, 139.
Christy, Philippe, child baptized, l ;',<).
Cincinnati (O.), troops at, 297; fur-
trade, 401.
Ciscaouette. See Siskowlt.
Claire, Marie Charlotte, baptized, 71.
Clark, Alexandre, baptized, 104.
Clark, Frances, married, 439.
Clark, George liogers, expedition, 302,
300 ; employes Gibault, 73 ; relatives,
439.
Clark, James (Jacques), children bap-
tized, 104.
Tlark, Julienne, baptized, 104.
Clark, Louise, baptized, 104.
Clark, Gen. William, cited, 315. 317;
Indian agent, 339, 448 ; superintend-
ent, 379, 388, 389, 477-479 ; message
to Indians, 376; letter to, 483, 484;
notes 397, 398 ; in War of 1812-15,
387. See also Lewis and Clark expe-
dition.
Clary, Robert E., on Mauvaise River,
176.
Clatsop Indians, chief's daughter, 414.
Claus, Col. William, in Indian depart-
ment, 145.
Claves, Charlotte, baptized, 78.
Clayer, Sieur Rupalais, child baptized,
50 ; godfather, 9.
Clermont, Jeremie, child baptized, 147.
dermont, Marie Anne, baptized, 147.
Clermont, Poncelet Batillot dit, god-
father, 23, 30.
"Clermont," Gen. John Mason's estate,
331.
Clignancourt, Louis Matthieu Damours,
s eur de, slave baptized, 4.
Clinton, Gen. Henry, in battle, 243.
Clinton County (N. Y.), settler, 476.
Clowes, — , accounts of, 259.
Coates, John, notary, 78.
Colbert. See Cuthbert.
Collet, Charles Ange, godfather, 7.
Collin, — , trader, 172.
Conant, Shubael, Detroit merchant, 461.
Conde, Marianne, married, 304.
"Congress," nava'l vessel, 363.
Connect;cut, Western reserve, 284.
Connelly, — . forwards goods, 449.
Conner's Point, Superior trad ng post,
173.
Connolly, — , Detroit carpenter, 308.
Contrecceur (Que ), Malhiot at, 166.
Cook, S. F., Drummond Island, 146.
Cook County (Minn.), sites in, 170-172.
Copper-mining, early development, 170;
ore found, 182, 183.
Coquart, Claude Godefroy, missionary, 8,
10, 12, 13.
Corbin, — report on mines, 183.
32
[ 497 ]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Corbin
Corbin, Jean Baptiste, fur-trade clerk,
168, 171.
Cornucopia, site, 174.
Cornwallis, Gen. Lord, at Yorktown, 273.
Coton, Jean, fur-trader, 215.
Cotte, Agathe Desjardins, child baptized,
73 ; godmother, 77.
Cotte, Gabriel, child baptized, 73, 74 ;
godfather, 87, 89 ; witness, 102, 161 ;
letters to, 270, 271 ; sketch, 161.
Cott<§, Gabriel junior, godfather, 121.
Cotte, Marianne, baptized, 73.
Cottenoire, Jean Baptiste, child bap-
tized, 61.
Cottenoire, Marie, baptized, 61.
Cottenoire, Marie Josephe Ouagakouat,
child baptized, 61.
Cottrellsville (Mich.), early settlers,
308.
Couange, Rene\ godfather, 47.
Coues, Elliott, zoological authority, 168 ;
editor, 280 ; New Light on Early His-
tory of Greater Northwest, 167 ; Pilce's
Expeditions, 313.
Coulonge, Joseph d'Ailleboust, sieur de,
godfather, 10, 15, 21, 24, 25, 27, 33;
witness, 15 ; signature, 23.
Couroy, — , voyageur, 259.
Courselle, Michel, Michigan trader, 462.
Coursol, Jean, godfather, 128.
Courtois, Charles, godfather, 94.
Courtois, Joseph, child baptized, 106.
Courtois, Mar e Madeleine, baptized, 106.
Courts Oreilles Indians. See Ottawa.
Cousineau, Joseph, godfather, 12.
Cousineau, Marianne Cecile. See Mon-
brun.
Couterot, Hubert, godfather, 46.
Couvret, Charlotte, children baptized, 33,
39, 53.
Couvret, Joseph, children baptized, 33,
39, 53.
Couvret, Joseph Augustin, baptized, 39
Couvret, Marie Angel'que, baptized, 53.
Couvret, Therese Elizabeth, baptized, 33.
Cowen, Alexandre, baptized, 101.
Cowen, Amable, baptized, 138.
Cowen, Anne, baptized, 138.
Cowen, Elizabeth, baptized, 128.
Cowen, George, children baptized, 98,
101, 128.
Cowen, Jean Antoine, baptized, 98.
Cowen, Mar'anne Kinonchamut, child
baptized, 128.
Cowen, Marianne (Nancy), baptized, 98;
godmother, 101, 107, 110, 111, 115,
13 7, .128, 130.
Cowen, Marie Anne, baptized, 137.
Cowen, Pierre, children baptized, 137,
138; godfather, 144.
Craig, Hannah, married, 479.
Craig, Capt. John, raids Peoria, 366.
Cram, T. J., surveyor, 177, 187, 212 ; re-
port, 213.
Crapets. See Sunflsh.
Crawford, Lewis, Wisconsin trader, 342,
350, 357.
Crawford, Redford, in duel, 325, 342.
Crawford, William H., secretary of war,
389, 390 ; on exclusion of foreigners,
405-407.
Crawford County, officials, 384.
Credit system, in fur-trade, 178.
Creeks — ■
Audevie, identified, 313.
Dutchman's early settlers on, 142.
Laramie's, trading post on, 265.
Crenier, Josette de, mentioned, 375.
Crepeaux, Pierre, godfather, 144.
Creque\ Madeleine. See McGulpin.
Crevier, Joseph, priest, 147.
Crooks, Ramsay, on Astoran expedition,
347, 371 ; in Astor's employ, xvi, 414,
426, 451, 460, 461 ; licensed, 428 ; on
Mackinac expedition, 360-364 ; visits
Cass, 427; letters, 346-350, 352-354,
461-463 ; letters to, 369-372 ; sketch,
347 ; portrait, 347.
Cruickshanks, R., merchant, 310.
Cruikshank, Ernest A., biography of
Dickson, 307, 308, 462.
Cuillerier, Angelique. See Beaubien.
Cuthbert, Alexander, godfather, 101.
Dallas, A. J., secretary of war, 379,
381.
Damours, Joseph, wife, 22.
Darling, Daniel, trader arrested, 477,
478.
Darnielle, Isaac, Illinois lawyer, 303.
David, David, of Montreal, 294.
David, Lazarus, in Montreal, 294.
David, Moses, Detroit merchant, 294.
Davidson, Judge — , daughter married,
365.
Davy, William, letter to, 311.
Dayton (Minn.), site, 313."
Dayton (O.), resident, 461.
Dearborn, Henry, secretary of war, 303,
311, 316 ; Boston merchant, 335.
Delaware Indians, agency for, 424 ; re-
move to Louisiana, 265.
Demais, Pierre, witness, 29.
De Peyster, Arent Schuyler, command-
ant at Mackinac, 237, 254 ; trials with
Indians, 241 ; letters, 244, 257 ; ac-
counts, 248.
Deschamps, Joseph, godfather, 138.
Deschenaux, Josette (Josephine) LegacS,
baptizes, 141.
Deschenaux, Louis, wife, 141.
498]
Duff]
Index
Des Coteaux, Antolno, buried, 152.
Desfonts, Jean Baptiste, child baptized,
109.
Desfonts, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized,
109.
Des Hetres, — , daughter baptized, 4.
Des Hetres, Marie Catherine, baptized, 4.
Desjardins, Agathe. See Cottg.
Des Noyeflles, Charles Joseph, godfather,
15-18, 20-22 ; sketch, 15.
Desnoyer, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 64.
See also Marchetteau.
Despins. See Lemoine.
Desriviorcs, Frangois, merchant, 334.
Desrivieres, Frangois junior, Montreal
merchant, 334, 335, 366; legacy, 373.
Desrochcs. See Durocher.
Detour, passed, 146, 152; duel near, 325.
Detra'nville, Michel, chi'ld baptized, 125.
Detrainville, Michel junior, baptized, 125.
Detroit, route via, xv, 383-385, 397, 438,
497 ; commandants, 237, 274, 280, 298.
364 ; Pontiac's siege, 279 ; expedition
to relieve, 276; British evacuate, 276,
277 ; surrendered to Proctor, 310, 327,
347; 'n War of 1812-15, 347, 349, 350.
355, 360, 363, 407, 456, 468, 469;
early church, 132; priests, 132, 147;
settlers, 13, 159, 253, 272, 277, 324.
379, 455 ; merchants, xvi, 243, 276,
278, 279, 291, 294, 304, 308, 310, 345,
453, 461 ; traders visit, 234, 241, 242,
266 ; goods, 262 ; prices, 235, 239 ;
provisions, 236, 244-246, 257, 293.
294 ; detained at, 237, 239-244, 257 ;
deserters at, 288 ; Indian council, 284 ;
law-suit, 416, 417; fur-trade factory,
311 ; interpreter, 208; metropolis, 353,
443 ; Monroe to vis t, 457.
Dexter, Daniel S., naval officer, 363.
Dickson, Robert, early letter, 307 ; in
duel, 325 ; acts as American official,
323 ; trader, 344-347, 351 ; post, 313 ;
evades embargo, xviii, 342 ; in War of
1812-15, 160, 253, 306, 364, 456, 469 ;
at Prair'e du Chien, 458, 464; with
Selk'rk, 462, 486; British Indian
agent, 365 ; message for, 360 ; pro-
visions, 352 ; subordinates, 446, 477 ;
son, 444
Dickson, William, license for, 444 ; on
St. Peter's River, 486.
Die, Jeanne. See Mata.
Dilhet, Father Jean, baptisms, 120-132 ;
interments, 159.
Dinsmoor, Silas, Ind'an agent, 303.
Dion, — , child baptized, 22.
Dion, Louis Rene\ baptized, 22, 23.
Dob'e, Richard, Montreal merchant, 258,
259, 282.
Dodimead, Catherine, married, 394.
Dominicans, at Mackinac, 97.
Dorion, — , boatman, 463.
Dorion, Pierre, interpreter, 463.
Dorion, Pierre junior, on Astorian expe-
dition, 463.
Doty, James D., on Lake Superior, 173,
175, 178, 181 ; map, 176, 1S7 ; de-
scribes sites, 186.
Dousman, George Smith, baptized, 146.
Dousman, John, children baptized, 146 ;
godfather, 147; churchwarden, 162;
commands militia, 421 ; trader, xvii ;
sketch, 421.
Dousman, Justin, witness, 162.
Dousman, Michael, Mackinac merchant,
xvii, 345 ; letter to, 475, 476.
Dousman, Rosalie Laborde, children bap-
tized, 146 ; godmother, 147.
Douville. See Quindre.
Draper, Lyman C., correspondent, 439.
Drew, John, Mackinac trader, 483.
Drouin, Manon, husband of, 156.
Drouine, term explained, 200 ; accounts
for, 225 ; traders on, 312, 486.
Dubeau, Ambroise, clerk, 275.
Dubois, Agathe, godmother, 121.
Dubois, Elizabeth, godmother, 113.
Dubois, Etienne, godfather, 134, 135,
140, 142-144.
Dubois, Jean Baptiste, at Mackinac, 157.
Dubois, Louise. See Solomon.
Dubois, Pierre Ignace, wife, 73.
Dubois, Therese Campion, godmother,
73-75.
Du Braise, — , slave baptized, 4.
Dubuque, Catherine, married, 366.
Dubuque, Julien, lead-miner, xvii ; letter,
318-320; kinswoman, 366.
Ducharme, Dominique, godfather, 100.
Ducharme, Jean Marie, son, 293.
Ducharme, Joseph, carries message, 355 ;
sketch, 293.
Ducharme, Joseph Laurent, baptized,
53.
Ducharme, Laurent, children baptized,
53. 61, 08; slave baptized, 67; god-
father, 70 ; witness. 161.
Ducharme, Lou's, baptized, 61.
Ducharme, Marguerite Metivier, chil-
dren baptized, 53, 61, 68 ; godmother,
70.
Ducharme, Marie Marguerite, baptized,
68.
Ducharme, Piorre Augustin, baptized. 61.
Duclos, Frangois. See Carignan.
Dufaux, Genevieve, bapt'zed, 85.
Dufaux, Louis, children baptized, 85, 88.
Dufaux, Marie Louise, childrpn bap-
tized, 85, 88.
Dufaux, Pierre, baptized. 62.
Duff, — , lalre captain, 309.
499
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Dufresne
Dufresne, Louis, blacksmith, 276.
Dufresne, Nicolas, godfather, 40, 42, 53,
56, 58.
Dugast, Pierre, godfather, 62.
Du Jaunay, Father Pierre, baptisms, 7-
31, 33-35, 37, 42-44, 47, 49, 52, 53,
56, 58, 59, 63-71 ; last entry, 72.
Du Lignon, Angeliqne, baptized, 6.
Du Lignon, Frangoise Marianne, bap-
tized, 13.
Du Lignon, Frango'se Michelle, bap-
tized, 5.,
Du Lignon, Jean, children baptized, 4-6,
10, 13, 19, 20.
Du Lignon, Josephe (Josette) Margue-
rite, baptized, 19, 20 ; godmother, 60.
See also Boyer.
Du Lignon, Louis Josue, baptized, 4.
Du Lignon, Marie Angelique, baptized, 5 ;
children baptized, 10, 13, 19, 20 ;
godmother, 15.
Du Lignon, Marie Therese, baptized, 6.
See also Bertrand.
Du Lignon, Paul, baptized, 10.
Duluth, Daniel Greysolon, on Lake Su-
perior, 164 ; names rivers, 177.
Dumee (Du May), Jacques, children
baptized, 12, 24 ; son buried, 150.
Dumee, Jacques junior, baptized, 24 ;
buried, 150.
Dumee, Marie, baptized, 12.
Dumee, Marie (Manon) Chevalier, chil-
dren baptized, 12, 24 ; godmother, 21.
Dumouchel, Frangoise, baptized, 76 ;
ch'ldren baptized, 76, 84.
Dumouchel, Jean, baptized, 76.
Dumouchel, Joachim, baptized, 84.
Dumouchel, Josephe, baptized, 84. See
also Farly.
Dumouche1!, Louis, children baptized, 76,
84 ; godfather, 57.
Dumouchel, Magdeleine, baptized, 84.
Duncain, Capt. — , messenger, 475.
Du Plassy, Charles Dominique, bap-
tized, 4.
Du Plassy, Maurice, baptized, 4.
Du Plassy, Pierre, children baptize], 4.
Duplessis-Fabert, Frangois Lefebre, sieur,
godfather, 28, 29, 31.
Duplessis-Fabert, Frangois junior, killed
at Green Bay, 22.
Duplessis. See Morampont.
Dupre, Antoine, godfather, 123.
Dupuy, — , trader, 359.
Duquet, Louis, bapfzes, 116.
Duquet, Frangois, godfather, 87.
Durand, Jean, Illinois merchant, 263,
264.
Du Rivage, Tgnace, son baptized, 2.
Du Rivage, Ignace junior, baptized, 2.
Du Rivage, Michel, baptized, 2.
Durocher, Urbain, voyageur, 188-190,
199, 203, 208, 218; sketch, 180.
Du Sable, Josephe. See Vieu.
Earling, James, arbitrator, 275.
Fames, Wilberforce, aid acknowledged,
xxii, 363.
Ech Chagu n, Winnebago orator, 418,
422.
Edwards, Ninian, governor of Illinois
Territory , 395 ; oruers, 398, 399 ; let-
ters, 401-404 ; letters to, 443 ; Life
and Letters, 387 ; sketch, 395.
Eis, Rt. Rev. Frederick, aid acknowl-
edged, xxi.
Jizabeth, an Indian, baptized, 18.
Elkswatawa. See Shawnee Prophet.
Ellice, Alexander, Montreal merchant,
259.
Ellice, Edward, English statesman, 259.
EDlice, Robert, at Montreal, 259.
Ellice. See Fhyn, Ellice & Co.
Ell en, Yve, godfather, 32.
Elliot, Jesse D., naval officer, 350, 351.
Embargo, affects fur-trade, xviii, 337-
339; evaded, 342.
England, Col. Richard, British com-
mandant at Detro t, 274, 277.
Epee, Angelique Fleurs d\ baptised, 18.
Epee. Louis Fleurs d\ daughter baptise &
18.
Erie (Presque Isle, Pa.), route via, 346,
363, 382-385, 390-393; traders at,
353.
Erie County (O.), boundary, 284.
Ernest, Matthew, Wayne County treas-
urer, 295.
Ethrington, Capt. George, commandant
at Mackinac, 69.
Etienne, a slave, baptized, 96.
Eustis, WSil am, secretary of war, 334 ;
explains embargo, 339.
Ewing, William, agent for Sauk Indians,
315.
Fabert. See Duplessis.
Factory system for Indian trade, xviii*
xx, 311, 326-335, 380-395, 433, 438,
444-454 ; crit'eized, 349, 350, 480-
482 ; meagre results, 447, 448 ; direc-
tions for, 4S4-488 ; proceeds, 466 ;
abolished, 434, 455.
Fafard, Alexis. See Laframboise.
Fairfax County (Va.), estate in, 331.
Farly, Albert, baptized, 42.
Farly, Andre Vital, baptized, 62.
Farly, Jacques Philippe (Charles), chl-
dren baptized, 37, 42, 52, 62 ; slave
baptized, 44, 57 ; godfather, 10, 52 ;
wife buried, 154 ; sketch, 10.
500
Forts]
Index
Farly, Louis Joseph, baptized, 52 ;
buried, 155.
Farly, Marie Charlotte, baptized, 37.
Farly Marie Josephe (Josette) Dumou-
chel, children bapt zed, 37, 42, 52,
G2; godmother, 38, 41, 42, 44, 40,
48, 49, 55, 57 ; buried, 154.
Farnham, Russell, trader arrested, 477,
478.
Ferron, — , forwards goods, 440.
Fifield, Samuel S'., aid acknowledged,
xxi, 174.
F gured Stone. See Shinaabaw'osin.
Fillon, Jean W., godfather, 138, 144.
Fily, Constant, child baptized, 70 ; god-
father, 68.
Fily, Jean Marie, godfather, 41.
F ly, Laurent Constant, baptized, 70 ;
in War of 1812-15, 469; clerk for
Grignon, 486 ; sketch, 70.
Fily, Marie Angelique Metivicr, child
baptized, 70 ; godmother, 61, 62, 68.
Fily de Kerigou, Michel, grandson bap-
tized, 70.
Findlay, James, trader, 266.
Fiolles, term cxpla ned, 217.
Fisher (mustela pennanti), fur-bearing
animal, 231.
Fisher, Elizabeth Therese, baptized, 139,
140; godmother, 148. See a'so Baird.
Fisher, Henry Monroe, Wisconsin trader,
xvi ; child baptized, 139 ; wife, 78,
117 ; sketch, 139.
Fisher, Jane. See Rolette.
Fisher, Madole ne Gautier, married, 7S.
Fisher, Marianne Lasaliere, child bap-
tized, 139 ; godmother, 134-137, 140,
143. 144.
Flamand, Jean Baptiste, child baptized,
120.
Flamand, Joseph, bapt'zed, 120.
Flamand, Marie, child baptized, 120.
Flathead Indians, traders w :h 477.
Flower, Frank A., Eye of the Northwest,
179.
Folio Avoine, a Chippewa, 198, 218.
Folles Avoinos Indians. See Menomi-
nee.
Folios Avoines Hauteurs. See Chippewa.
Fond du Lac (Lake Superior), 172, 174,
179 ; wintering place, 35 : post near,
173; traders at, 288, 474; Malhiot,
215 ; treaty, 434 ; sketch, 173.
Fond du Lac (W s ), fur-trade post,
364, 485.
Forot er, Pierre, godfather. 76.
Forrest, — , Montreal trader, 351, 359,
362.
Forste'r, John Adam, mining expert, 183.
Forsvth, John, Montreal merchant, xvi.
309.
Forsyth, Thomas, visits Wisconsin, 386 ;
report, 464 ; papers, 389.
Forsyth, William, removes from Quebec,
379.
Forsyth, Richardson & Co., Montreal
merchants, 280, 285, 309 ; buy out
traders, 337, 338; equip traders, 356;.
letter, 414.
Forts —
Armstrong, commandant, 478, 480;
traders near, 479, 483.
Bourbon, trading post, 163.
Bowyer, named, 392.
Chequamegon, sketch, 175. See also
La Pointe.
Ch ppewyan, trading post, 469.
Cra wford, built, xx, 140, 480 ; letter
from, 'i"7.
Crown Toint, officer, 27.
Dearborn, massacre, 159, 379, 331.
See also Chicago.
Edwards, fur-trade factory at, 386.
Erie, described, 276 ; vessels at, 277.
Harrison, officer at, i80.
Howard, built, xx ; commandant, 420.
See also Green Bay.
Johnson, built, 387.
Kaministiquia, commandant, 15, 19;
headquarters, 190, 191, 194, 196,
200, 204 ; Malhiot at, 189 ; vessel
for, 172 ; Indians at, 32 ; sketch,
166.
Leavenworth, officer at, 480.
Madison, fur-trade factory at, 383,
386, 387; destroyed 403; skttch,
383.
Maiden. See Maiden.
Meigs, siege, 346, 368, 402, 439.
Mianr, location, 274.
Nelson, fur-trade post, 374.
Nigigon, commandant, 12; traders at,.
152; settlers, 06.
Osage, fur-trade factory at, 449, 456,
466.
Pitt. See Pittsburgh.
Recovery, on boundary lino, 295.
St. Joseph (Mich.), 2. 4. 19, 24, 25,
117 : traders at, 100, 161.
St. Joseph (Ont). See Islands: St.
Joseph.
Shelby, captured, 140.
Sfopbonson. besieged, 346.
Tieondoroga. soldier at, 282.
Vermilion, built, 238.
Wayne, supplies at. .T~0 ; commandant.
298; fur-trade factory. 311 : Indian
agent. 340.
Wedderburn, fur-trade post, 4f9.
William, fur-trade rendezvous, 167.
170. 362, 360, 462. See also Kam-
inistiquia.
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Forts
traders for, 477 ;
chief's portrait,
'Narrative,
226,
Forts ( continued ) —
William Henry, siege, 153.
Winnebago, site, 396.
Fox (Outagami) Indians, habitat, 435,
471 ; hostile to Ch ppewa, 174 ; lead
mines, 320 ; visit Mackinac, 426 ;
Drummond Island, 472 ; annuities,
389; friendly, 386;
marry whites, 267
420.
Franchere, Gabriel,
362.
Francois, baptized, 131.
Frangois, a voyageur, 247, 248, 253.
Frangois Regis, a slave, baptized, 107.
Frangois Renard, a slave, baptized, 4.
Frangois Xavier I, a slave, baptized, 59.
Frangois Xav er II, a slave, baptized, 86.
Frangoise, an Indian, baptized, 17.
Frangoise, daughter baptized, 18.
Franks, Jacob, British trader, xvii, 292,
423, 429 ; 1 censed, 295 ; provisions for,
294 ; in War of 1812-15, 499 ; deta ned
by war expedition, xix, 358-360 ; let-
ters, 365-369 ; letters to, 316, 317 ;
at Sandwich, 346 ; Lachine, 461 ; mar-
ried, 462 ; employees, 305, 306 ; sketch,
292.
Franks, Rebecca, at Toronto, 368.
Fraser, — , Mackinac settler, 294.
Fraser, Alexander, child baptized, 136.
Fraser, Alexander junior, baptized, 136.
Fraser, Simon, explorer, 136.
Fraser, Ursule Leblanc, ch id baptized,
136; godmother, 138, 141, 144, 145.
Fraser family, at Prairie du Chien, 267.
Freer, Noah, secretary, 355.
Freraux (Freraut), Josette, baptized,
102, 106.
Freraux, Marie Josephe Poitras, children
baptized, 102, 106, 111 ; godmother,
100, 101, 117.
Freraux, Nicolas, children baptized, 102,
106, 111; godfather, 100, 101, 113,
117.
Freraux, Nicolas junior, bapfzed, 111.
Frobisher, Benjamin. Montreal trader,
336, letters to, 235, 243, 249 ; money
for, 248 ; sketch, 235.
Frobisher, Benjamin junior, death, 235.
Frobisher, Joseph, Montreal trader, 235 ;
letters, 244 ; letter to, 245, 246.
Frobisher, Thomas, Montreal trader, 235.
Frobisher Brothers, fur-traders, xvl,
163. See also McTavlsh, Frobisher &
Co.
Gaillard, Jacques, child baptized, 59
godfather, 62.
Gaillard, Louis Jacques, baptized, 59.
Gaillard, Marie Jbeau, child baptized
59 ; godmother, 62.
[502]
Galliard, — , pays debt, 250.
Gamelin, Pierre, baptizes, 102.
Gansevoort, Gen. Peter junior, United
States agent, 329.
Gates, Gen. Horatio, in battle, 243.
Gatien, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 112.
Gausselin Pierre, godfather, 127.
Gautier (Gattris, Gauthier, Gotiez, Got-
rie), Agathe, godmother, 138.
Gautier, Charles de Verville, mother of,
2 ; baptized, 5 ; ch ldren baptized, 78,
79 ; adopts child, 79 ; sons, 179 ; bap-
tizes, 96, 98, 99; godfather, 85; leads
Indians to war, 251 ; sketch, 5.
Gautier, Charles junior, at Lac du Flam-
beau, 165, 185-188, 190, 193, 194,
196, 199, 208, 211, 227; proposals to,
182-184 ; alarmed, 181 ; improves,
" 204; w fe, 207; supplies for, 216-220;
on drouine, 229-233 ; sketch, 179.
Gautier, Claude de Verville, children
baptized, 5-8 ; 16 ; slave baptized, 6 ;
wife, 2, 11.
Gautier, Domitelle, baptized, 78, 79.
See also Brisbois.
Gautier, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 6 ;
godfather, 113, 115.
Gautier, Joseph Augustin, baptized, 16.
See also Caron.
Gautier, Madeleine, baptized, 78. S'efc
also Fisher.
Gaut'er, Madeleine Pascal Chevalier,
children baptized, 78, 79 ; godmother,
79-84, 86, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 99, 100,
106.
Gautier, Marie, baptized, 7, 8.
Gautier, Marie Louise Therese Ville-
neuve, children baptized, 8, 16 ; god-
mother, 11.
Gendren, — , wife of, 2.
Gendren, Marie Judith, baptized, 2.
"General Hunter," vessel on Lake Huron,
322, 324.
"General Jackson," lake vessel, 467.
o^enereux, Louis, godfather, 148.
Genevieve, a slave, baptized, 60.
Georgetown (D. C), headquarters for
Indian trade, 434.
Germain, Claude, godfather, 10.
Gervais, Louis, godfather, 39, 40.
Gete Kitigan. See Lacs : Vieux Desert.
''Ghent," vessel on Lake Erie, 391.
Giasson, Jacques, godfather, 41, 61,
trader, 155.
Giasson, Jacques junior ; godfather, 118,
119, 121, 124; witness, 118, 119;
Mackinac merchant, 307, 327 ; arbitra-
tor, 275; letters, 285, 286, 288, 295,
296; accounts, 286, 298, 304; sells
furs, 286, 299 ; sends witnesses, 300 ;
sketch, 276.
Grignon]
Index
Gibault, Father Pierre, vicar-general of
Illinois, 72 ; bapt zes, 73-77 ; sketch,
73.
Gibault, Marie Louise, godmother, 73, 74.
Gibbs, — , letter from, 454.
Gillespie, George, Montreal merchant,
337, 342.
Girardin, Clotilde. See L'Eveille.
Gitshee Migeesee. See L'Aigle.
Godefroy, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 27.
Gonneville, — , godfather, 32.
Gordon, Col. — , son of, 146.
Gordon, Agathe (Agnes) Landry, child
baptized, 146.
Gordon, Eleanor Lytle Kinzie, John Kin-
zie, 379.
Gordon, George, child baptized, 146.
Gordon, William d'Alcantura, baptized,
146.
Gore, Francis, governor of Upper Can-
ada, 273.
Gotlez. See Gautier.
Gouin, Charles, trader, sketch, 279.
Govrcau, Catherine. See Bandoln.
Gould, Charles Htnry, aid acknowledged,
xxi. •
Gourn. See Champagne.
Graham, Maj. — , locates Green Bay post,
437.
Graham, Duncan, fur-trader, 469.
Graham, George, In war department.
414, 443, 444, 452, 458, 480.
Graham, Richard, Indian agent, 424.
Grand Marais (Minn ), Malhiot at, 172
Grand Portage (Minn.), fur-trade ren-
dezvous, xvi, 69, 163, 166, 196, 213,
214, 236, 239, 240, 244, 263, 365 ; pro-
visions for, 258 ; post recommended
for, 378, 430 ; officer guards, 240-243 :
vessel at, 226; in War of 1812-15,
190 ; present conditions, 170 ; sketch,
169, 170.
Grand Rapids (Mich.), early settlers,
109, 471. See also Grand River.
Granger, Erastus, Indian agent, 339.
340.
Granger, Gideon, postmaster-general, 340.
Grant, — , trader, 255, 256.
Grant, Com. Alexander, message to 282 ;
sketch, 273.
Grant, Charles, trader, 256.
Grant, James, outfitter, 256.
Grant, John, trader, 256.
Grant, John junior, witness, 335.
Grant, William, trader, 256 ; witness, 78.
Gratiot, Maj. Charles, messenger, 463.
Gratiot, Julie, married, 397.
Gra voile, Joseph, daughter bpptized, 12f».
Graveile, Josette St. Raisin, daughter
baptized, 129.
Graveile, Louis, Green Bay settler, 376.
Gravelly Marie Angelique, bapt zed, 129.
See also Grignon.
Great Eagle. See L'Aigle.
Green Bay (La Baye), site of French
post, 437 ; lessee of, 4, 12, 41 ; French
commandant, 22, 36, 38, 42, 46, 485;
interpreter, 48 ; Pontiac's conspiracy
at, 68 ; American post recommended,
378, 380, 383 ; Indians favor post,
418, 422, 426, 430, 432 ; oppose, 440 ;
post built, xx, 420, 430-439, 454;
American troops at, 428, 430-432 ; of-
ficers, xviii, 142, 458, 482 ; Indian
agents at, 379-381, 399, 406, 407, 442,
443, 406, 467, 487, 488 ; fur-trade fac-
tory, 311, 380-386, 389-392, 440, 447,
448, 465, 470-472, 480-484 ; liquor
prohibited at, 396, 398, 466, 467, 487,
488 ; letters from, 267-271, 368 ; let-
ter for, 355 ; engagement contract at,
292, 293; goods for, 340, 358, 432;
trading license, 476, 477 ; early resi-
dents, xvii, 20, 25, 27, 35, 46, 55, 66,
69, 90, 98, 105, 117, 122, 127, 134,
139, 248, 293, 299, 300, 352, 364, 365,
376, 421, 439, 468, 469, 476; neigh-
boring Indians, 408, 417, 418, 421,
455, 456 ; partnership at, 447 ; British
subjects, 401-404, 420, 467-470, 481 ;
sales at, 464 ; settlement, xi, xv ; II-
brar'an, xxii.
Green Lake, early settlers, 396. See
also Lakes : Green.
Greenville (O.), treaty at (1814), 160.
Gregory, John, in North West Company,
256, 266.
Gregory & McLeod, Montreal merchants,
290.
Grignon, Agatha, married, 469.
Grignon, Amable, baptized, 93 ; at Mon-
treal, 271.
Grignon, Amable junior, partner, 375,
470 ; in War of 1812-15, 469 ; sketch,
469-471.
Grignon, Antoine, aid acknowledged, xxi.
Gr'gnon, Augustin, baptized, 90 ; In War
of 1812-15, 469 ; pilots troops, 428,
429 ; gives information, 396 ; letter
from, 485, 486; letter to, 317, 318;
sketch, 90.
Grignon, Charles, baptized, 89 ; at Mon-
treal, 271 ; In War of 1812-15, 409.
Grignon, David H., aid acknowledged,
xxi.
Grignon, Domitelle, baptized, 88.
Grignon, Fanfan. See Pierre Antoine
Grignon.
Grignon, Francois, child baptized, 129 ;
godfather, 132.
[503]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Grignon
Grignon, Hippolyte (Paul), trader, 375,
376 ; clerk, 486 ; partner, 470 ; in
War of 1812-15, 469; sketch, 376.
Gr gnon, Ignace, at Grand Rapids, 471.
Grignon, J\an, at Grand Rapids, 471.
Grignon, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 91;
in War of 1812-15, 469.
Grignon, Joseph, mentioned, 375.
Grignon, Louis, baptized, 90 ; adopted,
248 ; merchant, 345 ; license, 468 ;
meets Pike, 306 ; post, 314 ; contract.
447; at Mack nac, 429; clears cargo,
340 ; furs seized, 416, 417 ; in War of
1812-15, 468 ; receives news of peace.
350-352 ; letters, 475, 476 ; letters to.
375, 376, 401, 404, 405 ; protest, 400.
Grignon, Louise Domitelle Langlade,
children baptized, 88, 89, 90, 91 ; god-
mother, 94 ; messenger, 271 ; death,
469.
Grignon, Marie Angelique Gravelle, chile
bapt zed, 129.
Grignon, Marie Archange, baptized, 129
Grignon, Perische, merchant, 368 ; in
War of 1812-15, 469.
Grignon, Pierre, chillren baptized, 88-
91, 93 ; son, 368 ; nephew, 129 ; wife,
56 ; godfather, 73, 74, 79, 81, 94 ;
witness, 161; letters, xvi\ 267-271.
Grignon, Pierre Antoine (Fanfan), bap-
tized, 89 ; at Montreal, 271 ; in War
of 1812-15, 468 ; trader, 485-487 ; at
Mackinac, 352, 428, 429 ; l'cense for.
441 ; censured, 419 ; letters, 375, 376 ;
sketch, 89.
Grignon, Simon, mentioned, 375.
Grignon fam ly, tutor for, 313; letters,
304 ; in War of 1812-15, 469 ; traders,
170.
Gros Puant, Indian debtor, 312.
Grosseilliers, Medart Chouart, sieur de,
on Lake Superior, 166, 175, 215.
Grosse Pointe (Mich.), settlers of, 278.
Grouse (canachites canadensis canace),
in Wisconsin, 187.
Guigere, Antoine, child baptized, 92.
Guigere, Antoine junior, baptized, 92.
Guillory, Anne Villeneuve, godmother, 9,
10. See also Blondeau.
Guillory, Antoine, wife, 2, 9, 10, 161 ;
got!fa .her, 8.
Guillory. Anloine II, baptized, 49; chil-
dren baptized, 81, 88, 89, godfather,
111, 112.
Guillory, Antoine III, baptized, 88.
Guillory, Jean Bapt ste, baptized, 89;
witness, 161.
Guillory, Joseph, children bapt^ed, 45,
4f>. 49; godfather, 136; married, 161
Guillory, Marie, baptized, 81.
Guillory, Marie Catherine, baptized, 45,
Guillory, Marie Louise Bolon children
baptized, 45, 49.
Guillory (Guyari) family, 161.
Guion, — , slave baptized, 152.
Gull Prairie (Mich.), early settler, 148.
Gunston Hall, home of George Mason,
330.
Guyari. See Guillory.
Haldimand, Sir Frederick, commands
in Canada, 275.
Halstead, Jonathan, Indian agent, 303.
llamelin, Awaci, son married, 149.
Hamelin, Augustin, baptized, 95 ; god-
father, 116, 121.
Hamelin, Catherine (Marie Athanase),
baptized, 23, 24 ; children baptized,
23, 25.
Hamelin, Catherine junior, baptized, 94.
Hamelin, Charles, children bapt zed, 5,
6, 23, 25 ; wife baptized, 5, 24 ; slaves
baptized, 7, 15 ; slave buried, 150 ;
residence, 7 ; son married, 149.
Hamelin, Charlotte, baptized, 94.
Hamelin, Frangois Marie, godfather, 49 ;
slave bapt zed, 49, 50.
Hamelin, Madame Hyacinthe, slave bap-
tized, 86.
Harnelin, Jacques Michel, baptized, 5 ;
godfather, 36 ; grandchild baptized,
60; buried, 154.
Hamelin, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 6.
Hamelin, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized,
94.
Hamelin, Josephe le Sable, baptized, 93;
children baptized, 94, 95.
Hamelin, Josette, baptized, 60.
Hamelin, Josette junior, baptized, 94.
See also Charlebo s and Hogan
Hamelin, Louis Charles, bapt zed, 5 ;
wife baptized, 93, 118 ; married, 149 ;
children baptized, 94, 95 ; godfather,
98, 100.
Hamelin, Marianne, baptized, 5.
Hamelin, Marie Athanase, baptized, 5 ;
slave baptized, 15 ; sister, 14, 15 ;
death, 15.
Hamelin, Marie Francoise, baptized 6.
Hamelin, Marie Josephe, baptized, 25.
Hamelin, Marie Louise, baptized, 118.
Hamelin, Pierre Charles, bapt zed, 23.
Hamelin, Pierre Pascal, baptized, 5.
Hamilton, Henry, commandant at De-
troit, 237, 243, 244, 257.
Hamilton, Robert, Queenston merchant,
242, 276, 306.
Hamtramck, John Francis, at Detroit,
297.
[504]
Ignace]
Index
Hancock County (111.), historic sites
in, 387.
Hands, Williams, Detroit merchant, 276.
Harkness, Peter, registrar at Montreal,
335.
Harmon, Daniel W., Voyages and Trav-
els, 166.
Harrison, Gen. William II., proclama-
tion, 302 ; governor of Indiana Terri-
tory, 303; commissions, 142, 159;
O'Fallon with, 439; in War of 1812-
15, 347, 350 ; treats with Indians, 315.
Harrow, A/lexander, lake captain, 308,
309.
Hatt nas, Gabriel. See La Violette.
Hawkins, Benjamin, Indian agent, 303.
Hay, Jehu, at Detroit, 242.
Hay, John, Indian trader, 242, 250, 251.
Hazen, Moses, Revolutionary officer, 297.
Heald, Mrs. Nathan, at Fort Dearborn.
159, 160.
Heald family, in Missouri, 160.
Heaily, George A. P., portraits by, 379,
400.
Heins (Ainse, Hins), Constance (Cous-
sante) Chevalier, children baptized, 8.
11, 26, 30, 31 ; godmother, 9. See
also Cardin.
Heins, Joseph, children baptized, 8, 11,
12 ; wife bapt'zed, 2 ; godfather, 6, 7.
Heins, Joseph Lou s. See Ainse.
Heins, Marie Angelique, baptized, 30, 31.
Heins, Marie Conssante, baptized, 8 ;
buried, 150.
Helena, shot-tower at, 364.
Hennepin, Father Louis, among Sioux,
313.
Henry, — , messenger, 425.
Henry, Alexander, in Northwest fur-
trade, xvi, 245 ; partner, 238, 255 ; at
Grand Portage, 169 ; explores for cop-
per, 183 ; at La Pointe, 175 ; describes
church, 150; slave baptized, 67; let-
i ters, 234, 280-285, 289-291, 309, 310,
336, 337, 372-374; letters to, 253,
282; Travels, 170, 219; sketch, 238.
Henry, Mrs. Alexander, message, 337,
373.
Henry, Alexander junior, career, 373,
374.
Henry, Alexander, cousin of foregoing.
enters fur-trade, 281 ; meets trader,
215; Journal. 167; sketch, 280.
Henry* James, Detroit merchant, 296.
Henry, Ju'ia, men* ion ed. 373.
Henry, Capt. William, sailor, 296, 297.
Henry, William, in Northwest trade, 337,
373, 374.
Herbin, Louis, godfather. 38.
Hesse, district of Upper Canada, 272 ;
officials, 278.
Bins, See Heins.
Ilirbour, Susanne, godmother, 98, 113.
See also Pelletier.
Hoffman, Walter J., "Midewinin, or
Grand Medicine Society of the
Ojibwa," 194.
Eogan, Josette Ilamelin, child baptized,
130.
Hogan, Marie Isabelle, godmother, 142.
Ilogan, Marie Vaillancourt, child bap-
tized, 135.
Hogan, Stephen, child baptized, 130.
Ilogan, Thomas, baptized, 130.
Holland, Maj. S., surveyor, 367.
Holland Land ng (Ont.), naval station,
368.
Holliday, William, Lake Superior trader,
208.
Holmes, Maj. Arthur H., killed at Mack-
inac, 361.
Holmes, William, Northwest trader, 255,
256; sells out, 267.
Honore, Louis, interpreter, 315.
Hooker, John W., Indian agent, 303.
Hough, F. B., Journals of Major Robert
Rogers, 153.
Houghton, Douglass, geologist, 176, 183.
Howard, Don Carlos, Spanish commis-
sioner, 314.
Howard, Joseph, fur-trader, 174, 238,
246, 249 ; sketch, 238.
Howard, William, draft on, 341.
Howard, Capt. William, commandant at
Mackinac, 69.
Hubbard, Gurdon, Autobiography, 165
Hubert, Joseph Amable. See Marantot.
Hudon, Clement, godfather, 136.
Hudson's Bay Company, rendezvous for,
469 ; post, 270 ; land-grant, 462 ; ri
valry with, 235 ; unites with North
West Company, 163, 210, 259. 309,
366, 371 ; goods for, 221 ; employes,
139, 146, 351, 469, 470.
Hughs, Maj — , at Montreal. 282.
Hull, Gen. William, governor of Michi-
gan Territory, 327, 339 ; surrend -rs
Detroit. 327.
Hunt, Wilson, on Astorian expedition.
348, 477.
nunter, Gen. Peter, governor of TTpn<T
Canada, 273.
''Hunter,' vessel on Lake nuron. 432.
433.
Hurley, on boundary line, 212.
Huron County (O.), boundary of. 2^4
Huron Indians, miss'on for, 147 ; guide
187.
Tovacr I, an acco'yto. baptized, 6.
Tgnace II, a slave, baptized. 36. 37.
[505]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [ignace
Ignace III, a slave, buried, 154.
Illinois, fur-trade in, 205 ; traders, 142,
2G4, 317, 397; sites in, 315; post,
378 ; during Revolution, 366 ; early
res dents, 22, 151, 267, 301, 306, 463 ;
Indians from, 472.
Illinois Indians, neophyte from, 22.
Illinois Territory, boundary, 443 ; gov-
ernor, 305, 398, 450, 478; Indian
agent, 424 ; intruders expelled, 401.
Inaououoiskarooquoy, baptized, 108.
Indiana Historical Society, Publications,
302.
Indiana Territory, boundaries, 295, 323 ;
assembly, 296 ; officials, 139, 142, 159,
301, 302 ; regulations for fur-trade,
301, 302 ; Executive Journal, 302,
307.
Inglis. See Pbyn, Inglis and Co.
Ionia County (Mich.), early settler, 148.
Iowa, first settler, xvii, 320 ; Annals,
320.
Iowa Indians, villages, 315.
Iron County, streams in, 212.
Iroquois Indians, agent for, 340.
Irving, Washington, Astoria, 167, 291.
Irwin, Matthew, factor at Chicago, 326,
331-333, 384, 393 ; at Green Bay, 382,
385, 386, 442, 445, 447, 480, 487 ; let-
ters, 468-470, 472, 481 ; journal, 447 ;
orders for, 390-395, 448, 465, 484,
485; sketch, 326.
Islands —
Beaver, Indian village on, 412.
Bois Blanc, near Mackinac, 354.
Chenaux, priest from, 147.
Deer, vessel at, 246.
Drummond, post at, xix, 404, 408 ;
officers, 407, 410, 416; Indian
agency, 365, 431 ; Indians v:sit, 419,
421, 423, 426, 430, 472, 473; fur-
market, 415, 463; residents, 141,
145-147, 304, 462 ; captive at, 366 ;
removal from, 351 ; sketch, 146.
Encampment, Malhiot at, 215.
Grand Portage, Malhiot passes, 215.
La Cloche, trader on, 162.
Mackinac, post removed to, xii, 241,
254, 323 ; purchased, 237 ; "map of,
234 ; view on, 362. See also Mack-
inac.
Madela'ne, origin of name, 175 ; resi-
dents, 69, 175, 176.
Rock, fort at, 386, 480; skirmish
near, 387.
St. Joseph, British post on, 145, 160,
161, 322, 323, 337, 342, 408; offi-
cials at, 145, 376, 324, 351 ; in War
of 1812-15, 361-363; fur-trade ren-
dezvous, 307, 334, 343-345, 349.
St. Michel. See Madelaine.
Twelve Apostles, site, 175.
Vermilion, Ind an site, 471.
Ives, Louis T., portrait by, 379.
"Jackson," vessel on Lake Michigan,
487.
Jacobs, Jean Baptiste, Wisconsin trader,
485-487.
James, — , accident to, 256.
James, Edwin, Narrative of John Tan-
ner, 134.
James, Thomas P., American trader, 476.
Jameson, J. Franklin, aid acknowledged,
xxi.
Janis, Antoine, godfather, 26, 42, 46,
50, 55, 57-60 ; slave baptized, 60.
Janis, Bartholemi, godfather, 57.
Janis, H ppolyte, godfather, 17.
Jarrot, Nicolas, St. Louis merchant,
344, 345.
Jasmin. See La Fetiere.
Jauvan Angelique Roy, baptized, 127;
children baptized, 126.
Jauvan, Jacques, children baptized, 126;
w fe baptized, 127.
Jauvan, Madeleine, baptized, 126.
Jauvan, Paul, baptized, 126.
Jbeau, Marie. See Gaillard.
Jean, a silave, baptized, 43.
Jean Baptiste I, a slave, wife baptized,
5.
Jean Baptiste II, a slave, baptized, 10.
Jean Bapt ste III, a slave, baptized, 22.
Jean Baptiste IV, a slave, baptized, 37.
Jean Baptiste V, a slave, buried, 152.
Jean Baptiste VI, son of Letourneau,
131.
Jean Baptiste Francois, a slave, bap-
tized, 7.
Jefferson, Thomas, favors factory sys-
tem, 311 ; cabinet officer, 340.
Jefferson Barracks (Mo ), troops at, 448.
Jenks, Albert E., "Wild Rice Gatherers,"'
189.
Jerosme, Francois, godfather, 18.
Johnson, John W., factor at Prairie du
Chien, 383, 386-390 ; letters, 424, 425,
452 ; letters to, 433-436, 454, 455-457,
459, 460, 463, 464; sketch, 383, 384.
Johnston, Jane, married, 361.
Johnston, John, Indian agent at Fort
Wayne, 303, 339, 340.
Jonnston, John, Lake Superior trader,
208 ; at Chequamegon, 175 ; Sault
Ste. Marie, 120, 431 ; place burned,
361 ; wife's 'nfluence, 362 ; "Lake Su-
perior," 176 ; sketch, 361.
Jolifour, Pierre, godfather, 131.
Jolliet, Francois, godfather, 8.
Jones, John Rice, attorney-general of
Indiana, 302.
[506]
Labat,
Index
Jones, Peter, Christian Ind an, 208.
.Joseph I, a siiave, baptized, 7.
Joseph II, a slave, baptized, 37, 38.
Joseph III, a slave, baptized, 48.
Joseph IV, a slave, baptized, 04.
Joseph V, baptized, 00.
Josette, a slave, baptized, GO.
Jouctt, Charles, Indian agent, 339 ; for
Green Bay, 378-380, 382-385, 301 ; at
Chicago, 390, 407, 450, 487 ; orders
for, 381 ; sketch, 339, 340.
Jourdain, Jean Baptiste, children bap-
t zed, 20, 27, 40, 61.
Jourdain, Jean Baptiste junior, bap-
tized, 26, 27.
Jourdain, Marie Angelique, baptized, 61.
«ourdain, Marie Josephe, baptized, 20.
Jourdain, Marie Josephe jun.or, bap-
tized, 46.
Jourdain, Marie Josephe Reaume, chil-
dren baptized, 20, 27, 46, 61.
Jourdain, Marie Magdeleine, baptized,
46.
Toutras, Catherine l'Archeveque, god-
mother, 25.
Kackalin. See Kaukauna.
Kahpukmekah. See Siskowit River.
Kakigiguam, Joseph, children baptized,
73, 74.
Kakigiguam, Marie, baptized, 74.
Kakigiguam, Marie Josephe, baptized,
74.
Kak giguam, Marie Louise, baptized, 73.
Kakigiguam, Mar e Nanjoiquoy, children
baptized, 73, 74.
Kalamazoo (Mich.), former name of,
14.
Kalamazoo County (Mich.), early settler,
148.
Kantong, Indian village site, 471.
Kaokitte, Indian debtor, 312.
Kaouch magan, died of smallpox, 51.
Kaskaskia, Illinois territorial capital,
401, 443 ; residents, 301, 302.
Katakitakon, Indian village, 187.
Kaukauna, letter from, 485 ; Indian
site, 471 ; settlers, 90, 469.
Kawasldijiwong, Indian name for Mon-
treal River, 176.
Kay, — , merchant, 310.
Kay, Alexander, trader, 173.
Keeotuckkee, Potawatomi chief, portrait.
256.
Keeshkenum. See La Pierre a Affiler.
Kellogg, Louise P., aid acknowledged,
xxii.
Kemble, — , paymaster, 368.
Kennerly, George, St. Louis merchant,
448.
Kenn'ery, James, forwarding agent, 448,
454, 456 ; letter to, 466.
Kentucky, Jouett in, 340.
Ker goufili See Fily.
Keshena, Indian school at, 105.
Ketchinape, Angelique Nekikkoue, child
baptized, 40.
Ketchinape, Pierre, child baptized, 40.
Ketchinape, Joseph, baptized, 40.
Kickapoo Indians, agency for, 424.
Kigesse, brother buried, 153.
Kikkanamazoo, traders' wintering place,
14.
Kim noucane (La Pluie), grandson bap-
tized, 131.
Kimiouenan, Catherine Chenler, children
baptized, 93, 95.
Kingston (Ont. ), priest, 136; merchant,
305.
Kinicona, child baptized, 113.
Kininchioue, child baptized, 50 ; buried,
153.
Kiniouichatoun, Marie, child baptized,
65.
Kiniouichatoun, Pierre, bapt zed, 43 ;
child baptized, 65.
Kiniouichatoun, Pierre Ignace, bap-
tized, 65.
Kinonchamee (Kinonchamek), — , grand-
daughter baptized, 44.
Kinonchamee, Augustin, baptized, 57.
Kinonchamee dit Choumen, Hippolyte,
children baptized, 52, 57, 72.
Kinonchamee, Jean Baptiste, bapt'zed,
72.
Kinonchamee, Marianne, child baptized,
57.
Kinonchamee, Thomas, baptized, 52.
Kinonchamon, baptized, 52.
Kinoncheton, Antoine, bapt'zed, 57.
Kinoncheton, Pierre, children baptized,
57, 58.
Kinoncheton, Pierre junior, baptized, 58.
Kinzie, John, recommended for Indian
agent, 379 ; employee of, 159.
Kinzie, Juliette A., Waubun, 396.
Kinzie family, at Ch cago, 158.
Kiotom, Indian debtor, 312.
Kioueiatchiouenoukoue, Charlotte, bap-
tized, 59.
Kitchinape, Angelique, son baptized, 48,
KitchinapC, Augustin, baptized, 48.
Kitchinape\ Pierre, son baptized, 48.
Knaggs, Mrs. James, mentioned, 375.
Kourseur, Manitou, daughter baptized,
129.
La Baptiste, — , witness, 30.
Labat, Michel, child baptized, 81.
Labat, Michel junior, bapt. zed, 81.
[507]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [La Bay*
La Baye. See Green Bay.
La Biche, Indian debtor, 313.
Laborde, Catherine, baptized, 123.
Laborde, Elizabeth, baptized, 122.
Laborde, Jean Bapt ste dit Sans Regret,
children baptized, 103, 105, 122, 123;
godfather, 90 ; baptizes, 141.
Laborde, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized.
122.
Laborde, Marguerite Machar Chevalier,
children baptized, 103, 105, 122, 123;
godmother, 99, 114, 115.
Laborde Rose (Rosalie), baptized, 105;
marr ed, 421.
La Branche, Antoine, wife, 139.
La Branche, Charlotte Parent, god-
mother, 139.
La Bruyere, Michel, wife baptized, 108.
La Chene, Andre, godfather, 113, 123.
125 ; baptizes, 142.
Lachine (Que.), settlers, 285.
La Chouette, a Chippewa, 185, 188, 198.
201, 202, 207, 209, 216, 217, 219.
220, 224, 229 ; characterized, 203 ;
wife, 185, 192.
La Corne, Louis, sieur de, commandant
at Mackinac, 17.
La Corneille. a Chippewa, 224.
La Cremaillere, a Chippewa, 185, 216.
s224.
Lacroix, Andre\ baptized, 123.
Lacroix, Frangoise Card'nal, godmother,
12, 20.
Lacroix, Hubert, godfather, 112, 120,
122.
Lacroix, Isadore, child baptized, 130 ;
godfather, 106, 109, 123, 124.
Lacroix, Joseph Amable Hubert. See
Marantot.
Lacroix, Louis, baptized, 130.
Lacroix, Magdeleine, baptized, 123.
Lacroix, Marie Frangoise Hubert de.
See La Fetiere.
Lacroix, Marie McGulpin, children bap-
tized, 123 ; godmother, 114 ; 126.
Lacroix, Michel, godfather, 117, 130,
131 ; trader, 366, 369.
Lacroix, Paul Hubert, godfather, 86 ;
buried, 158.
Lacroix, P'erre, chi'ldi-en baptized, 123 ;
godfather, 114, 122, 126; witness
129.
Lacroix, Pierre junior, bapt'zed, 123.
Lacroix, Perre Ignace, Montreal mer-
chant, 358.
Lacs (see also Lakes) —
Courts Oreilles, origin of name, 171;
Indians of, 207 ; traders, 69.
Do Flambeau, Indians of, 1 93-1 98,
201, 202, 206, 216; v'llage, 224;
reservation, 181 ; traders, xiv, 69
342 ; post, 164, 178, 180, 181 ; new
fort, 209 ; equipment, 182, 216, 224 ;
rivalry, 169, 170, 196 ; hardships,
191; employees, 171, 188; settlers,
179; sketch, 181, 186.
Folle Avo ne (La Folle). See Wild
Rice Lake.
La Pluie. See Rainy Lake.
La Truite. See Trout Lake.
Ver. See Green Lake.
Vieux Desert, on boundary, 177, 212 ;
outlet, 181 ; Indian band, 199, 207,
209. 224 ; trading on, 226, 230 ;
sketch, 186, 187.
La Culote, granddaughter baptized, 50.
La Douceur, Jean Baptiste, godfather,
54.
La Fantaisie, Marianne Card n, children
bapt'zed, 77, 78 ; godmother, 76.
La Fetiere, Augustin Jasmin dit, bap-
tized, 32 ; buried, 151.
La Fetiere, Basile Jasmin dit, bapt'zed,
28.
La Fetiere, Jean Baptiste Jasm'n dit,
children baptized, 28, 30, 32; god-
father, 28.
La Fetiere, Louis Poncelet Jasmin dit,
baptized, 30.
La Fetiere, Marie Frangoise Hubert de
Lacroix, children baptized, 30, 32 ;
godmother, 30.
La Feuille, a Chippewa, 217, 218, 224.
La Fond, Catherine Personne dit, bap-
t zed, 25.
La Fond, Charles fersonne dit, children
baptized, 25, 46.
La Fond, Hubert Personne dit, baptized,
46.
La Fond, Jean Simon Personne dit, bap-
tized, 46.
La Fond, Susanne Reaume Personne dit,
children baptized, 25, 46.
La Fontaine, Frangois, godfather, 76.
La Fontaine, Marion dit, brothers, desert
employers, 288.
La Fortune, Antoine Tellier dit, bap-
tized, 3 ; children baptized, 40, 41,
45, 54, 58, 62, 68, 71, 72; servant,
66 ; godfather, 66.
La Fortune, Antoine Tellier junior dit,
baptized, 71.
La Fortune, Charles Tellier dit, bap-
t'zed, 54.
La Fortune, Charlotte Ouetokich Tellier
dit, children baptized, 40, 41, 45, 54,
58. 62, 68, 71 ; godmother, 66.
La Fortune, Frangois Tellier dit, bap-
tized, 72.
La Fortune, Frangois Xavier Tellier dit,
baptized, 21 ; buried, 152.
[508]
Lakes]
Index
La Fortune, Frangoise Tellier (lit, bap-
tized, 107.
La Fortune, Ignacc Tellicr (Jit, baptized,
21.
La Fortune, Ignace (junior) Tcllier (lit,
baptized, 68.
La Fortune, Jean Baptiste Tellier (lit,
children baptized, 3, 21, 35 ; god-
father, 40, 06 ; witness, 41 ; slave
baptizod, 41, 51).
La Fortune, Jean Baptiste (junior) Tel-
1 er (lit, baptized, 40, 41.
La Fortune, Joseph Tellier (lit, baptized,
21 ; buried, 151.
La Fortune, Joseph (junior) Tellier dit,
bapt zed, 02 ; child baptized, 107.
La Fortune, Joseph Marie Tellier dit,
buried, 151.
La Fortune, Josette Kiouittakigir, god-
mother, 40.
La Fortune, Marie Josephe (I) Tellier
dit, baptized, 20, 21 ; children bap-
tized, 21, 35 ; godmother, 39, 58, 63,
66; buried, 151.
La Fortune, Marie Josephe (II) Tellier
dit, baptized, 21.
La Fortune, Marie Josephe (III) Tellier
dit, baptized, 35.
La Fortune, Nicolas Tellier dit, baptized,
58.
La Fortune, Pierre Antoine Tellier dit,
bapt zed, 45.
La Fortune, Bene Francois Tellier dit;
baptized, 21; son baplized, 72; god-
father, 59, 00.
La Fourche, Indian site, 486.
Laframboise, Alexis (I) Fafard dit,
children baptized, 96, 102, 103, 1<>5,
106, 108, 110, 119, 121; slaves bap-
tized, 96; witness, 96, 97, US. Ml;
godfather, 88, 90, 93, 97, 103, 104,
108, 113, 115, 110; sketch, 158.
Laframboise, Alexis II, baptized, 96,
105.
Laframboise. Alexis III, early Chicago
settler, 158.
Laframboise, Claude, godfather, 110.
Laframboise, Claude junior, Chicago set-
tler, 158.
Laframboise, Francois, at M lwaukee,
158, 305, 306 ; children baptized, 108 ;
godfather, 103-105; witness, 102.
Laframboise, Genevieve, baptized, 102;
105.
Laframboise, Jean Baptiste I, son of,
158.
Laframboise, Jean Baptiste II, god-
father, SO. 87 ; adopts child, 81.
Laframboise, Jean Bapt ste III, bap-
tized, 106.
Laframboise, Joseph I, child baptized,
109; wife, 86; godfather, 105; wit-
ness, 102.
Laframboise, Joseph II, baptized, 106.
Laframboise, Joseph III, Chicago settler,
158.
Laframboise, Josephe, baptized, 105.
Laf rambo se, Josette, baptized, 109.
Laframboise, Josette junior, marries,
158.
Laframboise Josette' Blondeau Adhemar,
married, 158, 159; children baptized,
96, 102, 103, 105, 10S, 110, 119, 121;
witness, 96; godmother, 100, 103-106,
109, 110, 116, 118, 120, 121, 130.
Laframboise, Madeleine Marcot, child
baptized, 109; godmother, 133, 140,
146 ; gives to church, 150.
Laframboise, Marguerite, baptized, 109,
110.
Laframboise, Marie, baptized, 119.
Laframboise. Marie Marguerite, bapt zed,
121.
Lagace, Elizabeth, child baptized, 110.
Lagace, Joachim, child baptized, 110.
Lagace, Josette, baptized, 110; baptizes,
141. See also Deschenaux.
Lagoterie, Edward, trader with Sauk,
446 ; arrested 477, 479.
La Grande Loutre, a Chippewa, 195,
217. 218. 224.
La Grandeur. See Brisbe.
La Grue Blanche, a Chippewa, 201, 220.
La Guereche, Antoine, godfather, 29.
La Haie, Claude Pelietier (Pelle) dit,
child baptized, 48 ; buried, 154.
La Haie. Marie Anne Pelietier dit, bap-
tized, 48.
La Haie, Marie Meghissens Pelietier
dit, child baptized, 48.
L'Aigle (Egle), Chippewa chief, 200, 207,
218, 219, 224.
La Jeunesse, Jean Baptiste, at Milwau-
kee, 306.
La Jeunesse family, 306.
La Joye, — , child bapt;zed, 70, 71.
La Joye, Marie, baptized, 70, 71.
La Joye, P erre. godfather, 65.
Lake County (Minn.), sites in, 215.
Lakks (see also Lacs) —
('ass (Minn.), traders at, 174.
Champlain, site on, 476; expediton,
(1757), 153; iu War of 1812-15,
424; settlers, 139; Henry visits,
336.
Erie, route via, 348, 3 19; shipping,
354, 381, 382, 390; in War of 1812-
15, 351, 363 ; land-sales near, 284.
Great, route v'a, xv. 234, 236, 241,
242, 253, 255. 462 ; fur-trade, xv,
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Lakes
Lakes : Great (continued) —
xvi, 348 ; Indians on, 438 ; shipping,
262 ; entrepot for, xi ; in War of
1812-15, xvii.
Great Slave, fur-trade post on, 469.
Green (Wis.), Indians on, 471 ; trad-
ing, 486.
Huron, route v'a, 162, 352 ; shipping
on, 170, 235, 236, 240, 296, 308,
354 ; duel on, 325 ; expedition, 357-
364 ; naval vessels, 367 ; post on, xi
Island, on boundary, 212.
Leech, posts on, 173, 174.
Little Rice, site of, 198. ,
Long (Wis.), on portage path, 178,
181, 213.
Michigan, maps, 443 ; affluents, 285 ;
Indians near, 401, 409, 417, 472 ;
drowning in, 235 ; wreck, 134 ; naval
force on, 381 ; shipping, 241, 420 ;
route via, 426 ; posts on, xi, 390.
Mille Lac, outlet, 313.
Ontario, navy on, 275 ; route via, xv.
Ottawa. See Lac Courts Oreilles.
Pelican (Wis.), Indians from, 202;
trading on, 232.
Portage (Wis.). See Long Lake.
Rainy, route via, 23 ; post on, 214.
Red Cedar (Minn.), posts on, 173.
St. Clair, shipping on, 241.
Sandy (Minn.), posts on, 173.
Simcoe, on portage route, 367.
Superior, 163, 165, 168, 173, 180, 434 ;
chart, 174, 177 ; described, 176 ; sur-
veyed, 215; affluents, 166, 176, 182,
378 ; copper near, 183 ; fish in, 172 ;
pigeons cross, 177 ; Indians from,
408, 409, 419, 473 ; route via, 426 ;
traders on, 160, 161, 208, 214, 215.
234, 238, 245, 249, 258, 342, 432,
474 ; posts, xv, 69, 270 ; shipping on,
169, 170, 239, 262, 362; fur-trade
department, 168, 170.
Tomahawk (Wis.), trading near, 184.
Torch. See Lacs : Du Flambeau.
Trout (Wis.), location, 198; village
on, 197 ; trad ng on, 200, 216, 218,
231.
Turtle (Wis.), location, 181; Indian
village on, 198.
Wauswaginng. See Lac : Du Flam-
beau.
Wild Rice (Wis.), identified, 198;
trading on, 233.
Winnebago, outlet, 382, 385 ; Ind an
site on, 471 ; Dickson at, 364.
Winnipeg, fur-trader at, 469.
Lalancette, Antoine, at Lac du Flam-
beau, 169, 184, 190, 192, 205-207,
209; sketch, 170.
La Loche, a Chippewa, 198, 204, 224.
La Magdeleine, Sieur d'Ailleboust de,
godfather, 13.
La Marche, — , trader, 190.
La Moitie du Chef, a Chppewa, 217,
229.
Lamorandiere, Etienne, godfather, 124.
La Morinie, Father Jean Baptiste, mis-
sionary, 7, 22, 23, 31, 32.
La Mothe, — , cbild baptized, 67.
La Mothe, Guillaume, witness, 103 ; god-
gather, 104 ; kinsman, 358.
La Mothe, Joseph, baptized, 67.
Lamotte, Joseph Maurice, Montreal mer-
chant, 358.
Landroche, Andre Skayamick dit, child
baptized, 16.
Landroche, Anne Parent, child baptized,
16.
Landroche, Marianne, baptized, 16.
Landry, Agathe. See Gordon.
Langlade, Agathe. See Lusignan.
Langlade, Angelique, recollections, 142.
Langlade, Augustin Moras, s eur, son
baptized, 3 ; slaves baptized, 4, 8, 33,
37, 52 ; churchwarden, 43 ; godfather,
10, 12, 14, 16, 23, 25, 32, 35, 39, 41,
43, 44, 47, 48, 55-57, 59; step-daugh-
ter, 248.
Langlade, Charles (I) Michel, baptized,
3 ; children baptized, 44, 56 ; slave
baptized, 51 ; servant, 118 ; godfather,
9, 22, 29, 37, 54, 63, 94; nephew, 5;
relatives, 161 ; descendants, 146 ; com-
mandant at Mackinac, 54, 69 ; in Rev-
o.ution, 251, 264 ; at Green Bay, 69 ;
land grant, 299, 300, sketch, 3.
Langlade, Charles II, child baptized, 82 *
godfather, 80, 89 ; daughter, 142 ;
sketch, 82.
Langlade, Charles III, baptized, 82.
Langlade, Charlotte Bourassa, children
bapt'zed, 44, 56; godmother, 39-42,
44, 46, 47, 49, 53, 54, 60, 61, 63, 64,
67, 68, 71 ; letter from, 300.
Langlade, Charlotte (Lalotte) Catherine,,
baptized, 44.
Langlade, Domitelle Villeneuve, children
baptized, 1-3 ; slaves baptized, 33, 42 ;
godmother, 8, 13, 19, 24, 28, 33, 34,
43, 52, 56, 59, 60. See also Ville-
neuve.
Langlade, Louise Domitelle, bapt'zed, 56.
See also Grignon.
Langlade, Marguerite, marries, 146.
La Noue, Zacherie Robutel, sieur de,
builds post, 166.
L'Anse (Mich.), trading post, 220, 227;
reservation, 1S7 ; traders at, 209, 474 m,
sketch, 208..
La Palme, — , godfather, 43, 44.
Lemoine]
Index
La Perche. See St. Jean.
La Perriere, Claude Marin de, slave
baptized, 22.
La Perriere, Magdeleine Villiers de, god-
mother, 22.
La Petite Racine, a Chippewa, 210, 210,
224.
La Pierre a Affilcr (Keeshkenum),
Chippewa clref, 185, 193, 210, 220,
224; identified, 200; son, 201, 210;
plot, 200; in War of 1812-15, 184.
La Plante, — , son baptized, 32 ; god-
father, 27.
La Plante, Louis, baptized, 32.
La Pluie. See Kiminoucane.
La Pointe family, at Prairie du Chien,
207.
La Pointe du Chequamegon, French post,
12 ; commandant, 30, 45, 175, 183 ;
missions, 170; fur-trade post, 175,
170, 179, 190, 203, 208, 214, 215 ;
settlement at, xi ; agency, 181 ; treaty,
187 ; goods for, 171 ; traders at, 2,
12, 27, 45, 05, 07, 09, 70, 108, 301 ;
boundary, 173 ; point, 170. See also
Islands : Madelaine. ,
La Porcelaine Claire. See Ouassimigueso.
La Porceline, a Chippewa, 179.
La Pulse, a Chippewa, 227.
Laramie. See Lorimicr.
L'Arbre Croche, Ottawa village, 08, 322,
412.
L'Archeveque, Augustin, children bap-
tized, 4, 24.
L'Archeveque, Augustin junior, bap-
tized, 24.
L'Archeveque, Mare Catherine. See
Joutras.
L'Archeveque, Marie Esther, baptized, 4
L'Archeveque, Marie Reaume, child bap-
tized, 24, 25.
La Roche Debout, on Lake Superior, 172.
La Ronde, a slave, baptized, 52.
La Ronde, Ignace dit. See Bourassa.
La Ronde, Louis Denis, sieur de, com-
mandant at Chequamegon, 175 ; finds
copper, 182 ; owns vessel, 170.
Larrivee, H'ppolyte, child baptized, 91.
Larrivee, Magdeleine, baptized, 91.
Lasaliere, Marianne, bapt'zed, 117, 118;
godmother, 128, 131 ; sketch, 117. See
also Fisher.
Lasaliere, Pierre, child baptized, 117 ;
w'fe, 80.
Lasal'ere The>ese Marcot, child baptized,
117. See also Schindler.
Lashley. See Lesley.
Lasselay, Frangois Samuel, baptized, 148.
• 148.
Lasselay, Samuel, child baptized, 148.
La TSte Grise, a Chippewa, 207, 224.
La Tortue, Chippewa chief, 19S, 200;
v llage, 212, 217.
Latour, Charles, death, 214.
Laurent, Alexandre, baptized, 125 ; child
baptized, 148.
Laurent, Pierre, child baptized, 125.
Laurent, Pierre junior, baptized, 148.
Laventure, Frangois, godfather, 120.
La VGrendrye, Pierre Gautier de junior,
in Northwest, 29 ; siave, 37, 38.
La Vielle Franchise, a Chippewa, 210.
La Vigne, Urbain Texier dit, slave bap-
tized, 27.
La Violette, Gabriel Hattinas dit, child
baptized, 84.
La Vi61ette, Gabriel (junior) Hattinas
dit, baptized, 84.
La Voine, — , voyageur, 239.
Lavoin, — , witness, 37.
Lawe, John, Wiscons n trader, 400, 428,
447 ; post, 304, witness, 293 ; letters
to, 340, 357-300, 458, 459, 401-403,
474, 475, 485-488 ; license for, 470;
certificate, 487 ; accounts, 345 ; em-
ployees, 307.
"Lawrence," naval vessel, 303.
Lead mines, Indians near, 435.
Leath. See Leith.
Lebeau, — , voyageur, 179.
Leblanc, Ursule. See Fraser.
Le Brulfi, a Chippewa, 209.
Le Canard, a Chippewa, 224.
Le Chef des Oiscaux, a Chippewa, 207,
218, 220, 224.
Le Cioux, a Ch'ppewa, 220, 224.
L'Ecuyer, — , adopts ch Id, 12.
L'Ecuyer, Blondcau, godmother, 12.
L'Ecuyer, Thdrese, married, 390.
Le Dru, F., Dominican friar, baptisms,
97-102.
Le Due, Pierre. See Souligny.
Lee, Gen. Fitzhugh, mother of, 331.
Lefebre, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 40,
48 : slave bapt zed, 48 ; at Green
Bay, 55.
Lefovre, — , trader, 248.
Le Franc, Father Marie Louis, baptisms,
33-42, 44-03 ; interments, 150-150,
sketch, 34.
L£gal. See Sans Quartier.
Le Genou, Chippewa chief, 177, 178, 209,
224, 228.
Le Grand Canard, a Chippewa, 195, 219,
229.
Leith (Leath), George, Detroit mer-
chant, 291.
Lemoine, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 118,
125, 131.
Lemoine, Jean Baptiste, dit Despins,
St. Louis trader, 402.
Lemoine, Joseph, godfather, 139.
[511]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Le Muffle
Le Muffle d'Orignal, identified, 193 ;
Chippewa ch ef, 207, 218, 224.
Lepallieur, James Michel, Mlwaukee
trader, 401.
L'Epaule de Canard, a Chippewa, 197,
199, 202, 213, 217, 219, 220, 224 ;
commended, 203.
Le Petit Canard, a Chippewa, 217.
Le Petit Forgeron, a Chippewa, 186,
224.
Le Petit Jour, a Chippewa, 218.
Le Petit Tonner, a Chippewa, 224.
Le Petteel See Lepallieur.
Le Pic, trading post at, 270.
L'Epiphanie (Que.), voyageur from, 180.
Le Porcipique, a Chippewa, 224.
Lerige, Marie Catherine. See Bourassa.
Le Roy. See Roy.
Le Sable, Josette, married, 149. See
also Hamel n.
Les Grandes Orei'lles, Chippewa chief.
177, 17S, 224, 228.
Lesley, — , arrested at Mackinac, 415,
421.
L'Esperance, Alexis Man an (lit, bap-
tized, 28.
L'Esperance, Anne Esther, baptized, 27.
L'Esperance, Antoine, baptized, 2.
L'Esperance, Christine, godmother, 66.
L'Esperance, Jean Manian dit, bapt zed,
2; children 12, 27, 28, 30.
L'Esperance, Marie Josephe, baptized,
12.
L'Esperance, Marie Josephe junior, bap-
tized, 27.
L'Esperance, Marin Manian dit, baptized,
30.
L'Esperance, Rose Manian dit, baptized,
28 ; children baptized, 28, 30.
L'fitang (Le Temps), — , Wisconsin tra-
der, 192, 193.
Letard, Joseph, godfather, 120.
Le Taureau, a Chippewa, 194, 217.
Le Teller. See La Fortune.
Letourneau, child baptized, 131.
Levadoux, Father Michel, American
priest, 103-107, 157.
Levasseur. See Vasseur.
L'fiveille, Augustin, children bapt;zed,
35, 36.
L'fiveille, Clotilde, baptized, 36.
L'fiveille, Clotilde Girardin, children
baptized, 35, 36.
L'fiveille, Daniel August'n, baptized, 35
Le Vieux Sorcier, a Chippewa, 224, 230.
Levy, Misses, Montreal housekeepers,
369,
Lewis, James Otto, portraits by, 208,
25(5, 320.
Lewis and Clark, expedition, xvii, 239,
240, 280, 313, 317, 463.
Licenses, for foreigners, xvii, 480-482,
484 ; purchased, 452, 487 ; speculation
in, 459 ; number decreased, 461.
Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, commissioner,
275.
Lincoln County, sites in, 202.
L nctot family. See Godefroy.
Lindsay, Col. Crawford, notes by, 186,
188, 199, 205, 214, 222, 224; aid
acknowledged, xxi.
.Liquors, prohibited in fur-trade, 396,
398, 466, 467, 487, 488.
L'Isle, Guillaume de, map by, 187.
Little Kaukauna, Indian site, 371 ;
early settler, 143.
Little York. See Toronto.
Locat, Elizabeth xxmise, baptized, 15.
Locat, Josette Chevalier, children bap-
tized, 15, 19.
Locat, Pierre, children baptized, 15.
Locat, Therese, baptized, 19.
Lockwood,! Benjamin, child baptized,
121.
Lockwood, James H., Wisconsin pioneer,
428 ; at Portage, 396 ; letter, 474,
475 ; portrait, 4u0 ; sketch, 475.
Lockwood, Marianne Pelletier, ch Id bap-
tized, 121.
Lockwood, Mathiide, baptized, 121.
Loisel, Nicolas, godfather, 99.
London, fur-sales in, 2S1, 284 ; ship-
ments to, 291.
Long, J., "Voyages,"' 196.
Longueuil, Charles Jacques le Moyne,
baron de, godfather, 34.
Lorimier, Lou s, removes to Louisiana,
265.
Lorimier, Peter, trader, 265.
Lorty, — , news of, 257.
Louis Hubert, a slave, baptized, 36.
Louis Joseph, a Potowatomi, baptized,
118.
Louis Joseph, a slave, baptized, 57.
Louise I, a slave, bapt zed, 56.
Louise II, a slave, child baptized, 115.
Louisiana province, under Spanish con-
trol, 265, 314 ; vicar general of, 72-74 ;
cession to United States, 265 ; fur-
trade factory in, 311 ; Ind an agent,
339.
Louisville (Ky.), early settler, 302.
L'Ours, a Chippewa, 210.
Louson, Joseph, child baptized, 137.
Louson, Joseph junior, baptized, 137.
Louson, Nancy PPlot, child baptized, 137.
L'Outarde, Ch ppewa chief, 194, 195,
202, 217, 219, 220, 224, 229; aids
Malhiot, 197, 200, 209, 218; com-
mended, 192 ; characterized, 203.
Lusignan, — , Wisconsin trader, 485.
[512]
Mackinac]
Index
Lusignan, Agathe Langlade, children
baptized, 142, 143.
Lusignan, Frangois, ch ldrcn baptized,
142, 143.
Lusignan, Marie Judith, baptized, 142.
Lusignan, Paul Louis Dazenard, sieur
de, descendant of, 485.
Lusignan, Pierre, bapt zed, 143.
Lyons, Benjamin, Mackinac trader, 254-
257, 259.
Lytle, Eleanor, married, 379.
McArtitur, Gen. Duncan, comma ndani
at Detroit, 350 ; letter to, 436-439 ;
sketch, 439 ; Papers, 354.
McBeath, George, witness, 78 ; trader.
236, 259 ; messenger, 245, 246 ; sketch.
236.
Maccatemicoueoue, child baptized, 72.
McClellan, Robert, fur-trader, 347.
McC'vae, D., witness, 78.
McDonald, — , messenger, 240.
McDonald, Elzabeth. See Maillet.
McDonald, Genevieve, child baptized,
119.
McDonnell, — , clerk, 237, 238.
McDonnell, Madame, message to, 237.
McDonnell, John, fur-trader 165, 238 ;
Journal, 165.
McDouall, Col. Robert, goes to Mackinac.
351, 352 ; commandant, 364 ; superin-
tendent of Indians, 365 ; at Drum-
mond's Island, 410; sketch, 364.
McDougall, — , Detroit merchant, 432,
433.
McDougall, Mrs. — , Montreal house--
keeper, 369
McGill, Andrew, letters, 279, 280, 298-
300, 306, 307; letters to, 286, 287;
death, 334.
McGill, James, Montreal merchant, 234.
245, letters, 261-263 ; 277-2S0, 298-
300, 306, 307, 334, 335 ; letters to,
234, 235, 240, 246, 286, 287; stepson.
334, 373 ; forwards supplies, 244, 271 ;
characterized, 336 ; bequest, 373 ;
sketch, 235. See also Todd & McG 11.
McGill, Mrs. James, messages, 263 ; mes-
sages for, 249, 252, 255 ; property,
373.
McGill, John, at Sault Ste. Marie, 249 ;
letters to, 245, 246 ; accounts, 248 ;
sketch, 245.
McG. 11 Brothers, Montreal traders, xvi:
letters from, 234.
McGill University, founded, 373; manu
scripts in 1 brary, 216.
McG'll' vray. William, fur-trade partner.
xvi, 107. 185. 188, 195, 196, 200, 212.
213 : consults Astor, 337 ; letter.
181 ; sketch, 167. See also McTavIsh,
McGillevray & Co.
McGregor, Gregor, Detroit merchant, 278,.
29S.
McGulpin, Angelique. See Bailly.
McGulpin, Elizabeth, baptized, 114.
McGulpin, Giles, baptized, 114, 115.
McGulpin, Guillaume. See Will am Mc-
Gulpin.
McGulpin, Henry, baptized, 114.
McGulpin, Madeleine, signature, 62;
godmother, 123, 124, 127, 131.
McGulpin, Madele ne Bourassa, children
baptized, 132, 133.
McGulpin, Made'leine Crequ6, children
baptized, 114.
McGulpin, Marie, baptized, 132 ; god-
mother, 131. See also Lacroix.
McGulpin, Patrick, children baptized,
114, 115.
McGu'lpin, Ursule, baptized, 133.
McGulpin, William (Guillaume) , children
baptized, 132, 133 ; godfather, - 143,
146, 147 ; churchwarden, 162.
Mcintosh, — , trader, 374.
Mcintosh, James, at Detroit, 309.
McKay, Alexander, death, 365.
McKay, Donald, trader, 365.
McKay, Robert, judge, 365.
McKay, William, n War of 1812-15,
148 ; expedition to Prairie du Chien,
356, 368, 387 ; superintendent of In-
dians, 365 ; sketch, 365.
McKee, Col. Alexander, son of, 272 ;
post, 274.
McKee, Capt. Alexander junior, wife,
272 ; ;n Montreal, 374.
McKee, Therese Askin, message to, 285 ;
in Montreal, 374.
McKenney, Thomas L., supersedes Mason,
331 ; superintendent of Indian trade,
4:53, 442, 448-450, 452, 455, 457,
460, 464-466, 480-482, 484, 485, 487;
Tour of Lakes, 175, 177, 434 ; sketch,
434.
Mackenzie, Sir Alexander, explorations,
164; kinsmen, 370; forms new com-
pany, 169 ; Voyages, 170 ; sketch, 290.
McKenzie, Donald, at Astoria, 281 ; in
fur-trade, 370, 371.
McKenz'e, Jolin, surgeon, 379.
McKenzie, Margaret, captured, 379.
McKenzie, Robert, witness, 1<^2.
McKenzie. Roderick, explorer. 166, 167;
brother of, 370 ; collects manuscripts,
182.
McKllllp, Capt. Dan'el, British officer,
379
Mack!nac (Mackinaw, Michllimackinac),
described, 233 ; map, 234 ; climate 287,
. 294 ; view, 362 ; neighboring Indians*
33
[513]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Mackinac
Mackinac (continued) —
408, 409, 412, 471 ; council at, 417-
422, 473 ; church, xi, xii, 1, 150 ; mis-
sion, xi, 1, 6 ; Protestant mission, 371 ;
.hotels, 150, 156 ; cemetery, 156 ; ol<
fort, 149 ; post, 6 ; commandants, xii,
«, 11, 15, 17, 18, 20-22, 24-26, 29.
33, 35, 37, 38, 51-55, 61, 69, 78, 83,
•90, 237, 241, 242, 351, 355, 380, 420;
interpreter, 10, 85, 120 ; Indian agents.
:xix, 365, 379, 406, 407, 459, 476; fac
tor, 341 ; collector, 340, 487 ; custom
house, 294 ; commissary, 243 ; local
official, 408 ; mi'litia, 421 ; early res-
dents, 235, 249, 296, 305, 306, 410;
fur-trade rendezvous, xv, 234, 235.
238, 241, 267, 270, 293, 297, 319, 322,
343, 349, 383, 451 ; merchants, xvii,
236, 298, 307, 320, 345, 454, 461, 477,
483; goods for, 262, 285, 286, 306.
348, 356, 366, 367, 370 ; provisions.
322 ; licenses and seizures, 443-445
452, 478, 481 ; prices, 452 ; fur-trade
factory, xvi'i, 311, 327, 331-335, 394.
465 ; Astor's furs at, 353-355, 362.
363 ; Pontiac's conspiracy, 68 ; Ameri-
can Revolution, 264 ; captured by
British (1812), 140, 184; in War of
1812-15, xvii, xvii\ 321-324, 342, 345.
352, 355, 357-364, 468; Americans
retake, xv, xix, 397, 398 ; troops at,
439, 479, 480 ; in Indiana Territory,
295 ; duel near, 323, 324 ; smallpox
at, 153 ; real-estate, 271 ; shipping
at, 342 ; route via ; 383-385, 391, 393 ;
view of British Landing, 362. See
also Islands : Mackinac.
Mackinac Conntv (Mich.), officers, 421.
Mackinac (M chilimackinac) Fur Com-
pany, members, 275 ; posts, 301 ; prop-
erty, 433 ; operations, xvi, 191 ; em-
ployee, 343, 344 ; purchased by Astor,
291, 334-338.
Mackinac Register, loaned, xx' ; des-
cribed, xi, xii, 1 ; facsimiles, frontis-
piece, 8, 26, 75 ; baptisms, 1-149 :
marr'age, 149 ; interments, 150-159 ;
parish meeetings, 160-162.
Mackinaw City (Mich.), ©Id house at.
323.
MoKinsay, — , messenger, 286.
McLeod. See Gregory & McLeod.
Macnamaa, John L , witness, 78.
Macomb, Alexander, Detroit merchant,
260.
Macomb, Gen. Alexander junior, army
officer, 260.
Macomb, William, Detroit merchant, 260.
McTavish, Simon, fur-trader, 163, 169.
McTavish, Frobisher & Co., Montreal
merchants, 266, 29.').
McTavish, McGillevray & Co , agents for
North West Company, 309, 354, 356.
Mador, Basiie, godfather, 73
Madeleine I, a slave, child baptized, 22.
Madeleine II, a slave, baptized, 45.
Madeleine III, a slave, child baptized, 67.
Madison, President James, des'res peace,
351 ; signs document, 381.
Magee, — , message from, 372.
Maillet, Charles, ch Id baptized, 119
Maillet, Charles junior, baptized, 119.
Maillet, Elizabeth McDonald, child bap-
t zed, 119.
Mainard. See Menard.
Maitland. See Season, Maitland & Co.
Makometa (Bear's Oil), Menominee chief,
portra't, 208.
Maiden (Ont.), Ind an councils at, 377;
notary, 300 ; evacuated by British,
347 ; American commandant, 439.
Malhiot, Frangois Victor (Erambert),
letters, 166, 199; supplies for, 216-
224 ; kinsman, xiv, 320 ; at Vercheres,
397 ; journal, xiv, 163-215 ; broads de
from, 224.
Malhiot, Franco's Xavier Ignace, edu-
cated, 166.
Malhiot, Lieut Col. Pierre Ignace, in
Canadian army, 165.
Malhoit, Xavier, in Canadian parliament,
165 ; merchant, 397.
Malhiot fam ly, relatives, 320.
Mandan Ind'ans, baptized, 118 ; Lewis
and Clark with, 240.
Manian. See L'Esperance.
Manist'que (Mich.), tvading site, 8.
Manitowa, ch Id baptized, 112.
Manitowoc, resident, 476
Manitowoc County, mill built, 476.
Maouemkouens, child baptized, 40.
Maps, Lewis and Clark's, mentioned,
313 ; of Mackinac Island, 234.
Maranda, Jean Baptiste, godfather, 130.
Marantot, Joseph Amab'e Hubert La-
croix dit, godfather, 30. 40, 42.
Marchenaux. Nicolas, godfather, 106,
107; witness, 161.
Marchesseau, Nicolas, godfather, 72, 89.
Marchetteau, Jean Baptiste, godfather.
64.
Marchetteau, Marip Anne, baptized. 69
Marchetteau, Michel Joseph, dit Des-
noyer, child baptized, 69
Marchetteau, Thgrese Parent, child bap-
tized, 69.
Marcot, Charlotte. See Chandonnet.
[514]
Menard]
Index
Marcot, Jean Bapt'ste, children baptized,
59, 65, 77, 80 ; wife baptized, 44 ; god-
father, 18.
Marcot, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized,
65.
Marcot, Magdelcine, baptized, 86. See
also Laframboise.
Marcot, Marguerite, baptized, 77 ; child
baptized, 3 01.
Marcot, Mar anno, baptized, 77.
Marcot, Marie, baptized, 59.
Marcot, Marie Migbissen, child baptized,
59, 65.
Marcot, Marie (Marianne) Neskeek, chil-
dren baptized, 77, 86.
Marcot, Therese, bapt zed, 86. See also
Lasaliere and Sch ndler.
Marguerite I, daughter baptized, 9.
Marguerite II, an Ottawa, child bap-
tized, 118.
Marguerite III, a slave, baptized, 96.
Marianne I, a slave, baptized, 5.
Marianne II, a slave, bapt zed, 25.
Marianne III, a slave, child baptized, 28.
Marianne IV, a slave, baptized, 54.
Marie I, an Ottawa, baptized, 44.
Marie II, a slave, baptized, 3.
Marie IV, a slave, baptized, 33.
Mar e V, a slave, child baptized, 43.
Marie Anne I, baptized, 104.
Marie Anne II, a slave, baptized, 41.
Marie Athanase, a slave, baptized, 15 ;
buried, 150.
Marie Catherine I, a slave, baptized, 34.
Marie1 Catherine II, a slave, baptzed,
49, 50.
Marie Charlotte I, an Indian, baptized,
14, 3 5.
Marie Charlotte II, an Indian, daughter
baptized, 18.
Marie Charlotte III, a slave, baptized,
39, 40.
Marie Franqoise I, a slave, bapt zed, 4.
Marie Franchise II, a slave, baptized,
30.
Marie .leanne\ an Indian, baptized, 53.
Marie Josephe, baptized, 75 ; buried, 155.
Marie Lou so, daughter of Manitowa,
baptized, 332 ; bur'ed, 3 57.
Marie Madeleine I, a slave, baptized, 4.
Marie Madeleine IT, a slave, baptized, 6.
Marie Xavier, a slave, baptized, 57.
Mar etta (0.>, resident. 453.
Mar n, Claude See La Perriere.
Marin. .Tos'-ph la Malgue, sieur, god-
father. I'O, 36. 38.
Marin, Pierre Paul, commandant in Wis-
consin, 22.
Marion. See Lafontaine.
Marly, Charles, children bapt zed, 143 :
godfather, 121.
Marly, Charles junior, baptized, 3 43.
Marly, Josephe Valllancourt, children
baptized, 143.
Marly, Luc, baptized, 143.
Marquette (Mich.), bishop of, xxl
Marsollete, Jean Baptiste, godfather. 9.
Martin, Anto ne, dit Soud, ch.ldren bap-
tized, 99, 107, 113, 127; baptizes, 110.
Martin, Antoine junior, dit Soud, bap-
tized, 99.
Mart'n, Catherine, bapt zed, 107.
Martin, Charles, baptzed, liiT.
Martin, Deborah M., aid acknowledged,
xxii.
Martin, Louis, baptized, 113.
Martin, Marie Magdeleine, dit Soud, bap-
tized, 99.
Martin, Philippe, dit Soud, godfather,
99.
Martineau, Ambrose, voyageur, 179, 205,
209, 218, 233.
Maskalonge. See Muskallunge.
Maskinonge (Can.), voyageur from, 343.
Mason, George, son of, 330.
Mason, James, Confederate commissioner,
331.
Mason, Gen. John, superintendent of In-
dian trade, 330-336, 380-395 ; resigns,
434 ; sketch, 330.
Massachusetts Historical Collections, 275.
Masson, L. R., finds material, 182. 210;
notes by, 203, 205-207 ; Lcs Bourgeois
de la Compagnie du Nord-Ouest, *61,
164, 165, 169, 176, 178, 238, 373.
Mata, Jeanne Die, child baptized, 138.
Mata, Julie, baptized, 138.
Mata, Maurice, child baptized, 138; god-
father, 145.
Matchiougakouat, Marie, baptized, 38 ;
ch Id baptized, 38.
Matthews, William W., in Astor's em-
ploy, 414..
Maugros, — , a slave, baptized, 10.
Maur, Louis, child baptized, 87.
Maur, Louis junior, baptized, 87.
Maur, Marie Moran, child bapt zed, 87.
Maximilien, prince of Wied, travels in
America, 444.
Mayamo. child bapt'zed, 147.
Mayet, Charles, godfather, 104.
Meghissens, Mar e. See La Haie.
Megonojan. See Pacoacona.
Meigs. Return J.. Indian agent, 303.
Meldrum. George, witness, 78.
Meldrum & Park, Detroit merchants. 278,
287.
Memanghlouinet, children baptized, 51,
52 ; bur'ed, 154.
Menard (Mainard). Anne, baptized, 5.
Menard, Antoine, baptized, 3 ; god-
father, 148.
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Menard
Menard, Frangois, daughter baptized, 5.
Menard, Maur ce, child baptized, 1 ;
slave baptized, 3, 4.
Menard, Father Ren6, in Wisconsin, 187,
208.
Menard, Susanne. See Bolon.
Menominee (Folles Avoines) Indians,
marry whites, 375 ; ch Idren baptized,
127, 144, 147 ; reservation, 105 ;
school, 105 ; traders among, 313 ; num-
bers, 471 ; in War of 1812-15, 316 ;
message for, 376 ; visit Mackinac, 415-
418 ; treaty, 467 ; visit Drummond
Island, 472 ; chief's portrait, 208.
Mercier (Mersier), Jacques, baptized,
124.
Mercier, Joseph Marie, children baptized,
80. 81, 98, 124.
Mercier, Joseph Marie junior, baptized,
80.
Mercier, Marie, baptized, 81.
Mercier, Marie Angel que, baptized, 124.
Mercier, Ursule, baptized, 98.
Methodists, missions for Indians, 208.
Metivier, Gabriel, baptized, 67.
Met vier, Jean Baptiste, children bap-
tized, 58, 64, 67 ; buried, 156.
Metivier, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized.
58.
Metivier, Joseph Jean Baptiste, baptized,
64.
Metiv'er, Josette Parent, child baptized.
58, 64, 67.
Metivier, Marguerite. See Ducharme.
Metivier, Marie Angelique, godmother,
53-55, 58 ; witness, 60. See also Fily.
Michel, a slave, baptized, 6.
Michigan, boundaries, 177, 186, 187,
212 ; early settlements in, xii ; terri-
torial governor, 339, 350, 379, 443;
other territorial officials, 453 ; senator
from, 453 ; treasurer, 372 ; Historical
and Pioneer Collections, 133, 145,
177, 258, 279, 351, 398, 407, 410,
416.
M'ehigan Fencibies, officers, 365, 469.
Michilimackinac. See Mackinac.
Migouanounjan, Mar e, baptized, 38, 39.
Migouanounjan, Pierre, ■ child baptized,
38, 39 ; godfather, 45.
Mikisinensa, relatives baptized, 51, 52.
Miller, Cel. John, builds Green Bay
post, 431, 437 ; returns to Mack:nac,
432.
Mills, Capt. — , lake captain, 309
Milwaukee, Ind'an village, 455 ; band.
471 ; traders, xv, 158, 253, 254, 305,
306, 375, 400, 401 ; provisions at,
230 ; early settler, 146.
Minanaconaton, child baptized, 109.
Mine a Breton. See Potos'.
"Mink," naval vessel, 363 ; burned, 361.
Minnesota, Indian sites in, 173 ; His-
torical Collections, 194, 207..
Minot, term explained, 225.
Misoumanitou, ch Id baptized, 42.
Missouri Territory, Indians of, 386 ;
governor, 478 ; traders in, 483 ;
mines, 302 ; intruders expelled, 401.
Missoussicoue, grandson bapt zed, 72.
Mitchell, Madame, Mackinac resident,
404, godmother, 108, 119.
Mitchell, Daniel, at Mackinac, 404.
Mitchell, Dr. David, son, 323 ; accounts,
259.
Mitchell, David junior, sketch, 323.
Mitchell, Samuel, Indian agent, 303.
Mitchell family, Mackinac residents, 410,
Mobile (Ala.), in War of 1812-15, 392.
Mocock, term explained, 232.
Moith, E., witness, 108.
Monbrun, Marianne Cecile Cousineau,
godmother, 39, 40, 42, 49, 53.
Monbrun, P erre, godfather, 39, 40, 53 ;
slave baptized, 39 ; buried, 152.
Mongulpine. See McGulpin.
Monroe, James, secretary of state, 404.
Montgomery, Gen. Richard, at Quebec,
297.
Montreal, siege (1760), 27; growth, 336;
visited, 397 ; merchants, xvi, 234, 238,
240, 243, 245, 258, 259, 271, 276,
280, 282, 290, 291, 294, 309, 323,
334, 335, 337, 351, 358, 359, 366,
377, 451 ; contracts, 343, 344 ; prices,
289, 365, 366; canoes from, 249, 251,
287, 322, 342, 352 ; goods from, xviii,
xix, 257, 461 ; furs shipped to, 297 ;
trial at, 241 ; children educated, xvii,
271, 469; Beaver Club, 373; McGill
Univers'ty, xxi, 216, 373.
Montressor, Capt. John, builds Fort
Erie, 276.
Montrose (la.), site, 314.
Montvert, trading site, 5.
Mooney, James, "Ghost Dance Religion,'^
322.
Moran, Marie. See Maur.
Morampont, Charles Denis Duplessis,
sieur, godfather, 15, 19.
Morav ans, as missionaries, 301.
Morgan, Lewis, Wisconsin trader, 453,
454.
Morgan, Willoughby, at Mackinac, 398?
at Fort Armstrong, 477, 479, 483.
Mbrison, Charles, Northwest trader, 249,
251 ; son, 474 ; letters, 287, 289, 294,
297.
Mormons, in Illinois, 315.
Morrison, James, at Montreal, 282.
Morr ison, Will 'am, Lake Superior trader,
215, 474.
Ottawa]
Index
Morae, Jedidlaii, Report to the Secretary
of War, 389.
Monet, Marie. See Cadotte.
Mougrain, Maurice, godfather, 101.
Mountains, Rocky, crossed, 163, 200.
Mouus, a Chippewa, 23.
Mozoboddo. See Le Muffle d'Orignal.
Muilanphy, Cathar ne, married, 424.
Munroe, Robert, Indian agent, 303.
Murray, Saraon & Co., merchants, 310.
Muskallunge {esox nabiUor) in Lac du
Flambeau, 187, 207 ; bought, 218.
Mustela pennanti. See F she?:
Nadkau, Julie, baptized, 125.
Nadeau, Rene, child baptized, 12~>.
Nahshawagaa (White Dog's Son), Pota-
watomi ch ef, portrait, 256.
Nanchoukaehe, lodge, 51 ; relatives bap-
tized, 52.
"Nancy," fur-trade vessel, 308. 309.
Naperville (111.), resident, 455.
Nattamanisset, Elizabeth, child baptized,
65.
Nauvoo (111.), site, 315.
Navarre, Catherine, married, 260.
Neagles, John, Montreal merchant, 282.
Neill, Edward D., Minnesota, 170, 444.
Nekikkoue. See Ketch nape.
Nelson, — , Detroit carpenter, 308.
Nelson, Admiral Horatio, wins battle,
281.
Neoukima, baptized, 50 ; child bapuzeu,
52.
Neskeek, Marianne. See Marcot.
Nekses, an Ottawa, daughter baptized,
44.
New York, fur-trade emporium, xvi, 451,
461, 462.
New York Fur Company, trader, 482.
Niagara, on trade route, 234, 243, 249,
255, 257, 2S4, 288 ; traders at, 397 ;
seat of government, 275 ; residents,
241, 242 ; in War of 1812-15, 276,
327.
Nicole, Isabelle, baptized, 137.
Nicole, Jean, child baptized, 137.
Nicole, Marguerite Beaubien, child bap-
tized, 137.
Niles' Register, cited, 387.
Nipissing Ind ans, marry whites, 21, 46,
47, 60.
Nolin, Jean Baptiste, witness, 149.
North West Fur Company, precursor,
236; history. 163, 164; partners, 167,
174, 192, 196, 235, 238, 239, 241, 245,
256, 267, 323, 342, 365, naturalized,
403 ; importance, 234, 248 ; rivalry
with, xvi, 169, 170, 191, 235, 280,
285, 289, 290, 463, 469 ; headquarters,
167, 170, 408 ; posts, 166, 173, 209
270, 337; agents, 69, 70; employees,
136, 139, 165, 168, 170, 176, 214, 281,
347, 371, 474; departments, 168, 173;
vessels. 170, 262, 462; supplies for,
2 47, 248, 252, 267, 285 ; during Amer-
oan Revolution, 240; unites with X Y
Company, xvi, 163, 169, 210, 267,
308-310, 366 J in War of 1812-15, xix,
361, 362, 366 ; Aslor's connection with,
336, 337 ; secures Astoria, 414; union
with Hudson's Bay Company, 289,
309, 366, 371 ; letter to, 257.
Northwest Territory, laws, 295.
N'ova Scotia, governor, 355.
Xoyaux porceline, term explained, 222.
Numa'nville, Jean Bapt ste, children
baptized, 126.
Xumainville, Joseph, baptized, 126.
Xumainville, Marie, baptized, 126.
Xunns, Annie A., aid acknowledged,
xxii.
Oceans—
Arctic, discovered, 163 ; visited, 290.
Pac.-xC, overland route to, 163, 290.
Odanah, Indian settlement, 176.
O'Fallon, Dr. James, at Louisville, 439.
O'Fallon, John, at Green Bay, 436;
Prairie du Chien, 475, 477 ; partner,
448 ; letters, 436-439, 458, 483, 484 ;
sketch, 439.
Ohio, tx-aders in, 277 ; militia, 439 ; re-
serves, 284 ; money from, 453 ; in
War of 1812-15, 456.
Oj'-bwa Indians. See Ch'ppewa.
Okondokon, Chippewa chief, 183.
Oliva, Frederic, in South West Company,
344 ; requests license, 476 ; letter, 351,
352 ; accounts, 321 ; sketch, 321.
Olivier, — , baptizes, 109.
Oneida County, sites in, 202.
Ontario, crown-lands department, 367 ;
II storical Society Papers, 120, 132,
141, 142, 145, 161, 249, 308.
Ontonagon (Mich.), location, 183.
Opost. See Vincennes (Ind.).
Oregon, adventures in, 477.
Osage Indians, agency, 424.
Oshkosh, early settler, 89.
Otchipwa Indians. See Chippewa.
Ottawa (Courts Oreilles) Indians, habi-
tat, 412: migrations, 171; bapt;zed,
44, 53, 85. 100, 115: marry whites,
86; ch ldren baptized. 98-101, 109,
110, 113, 116, 117, 128, 130, 131,
137, 138. 147. 148; in Revolution. 242, '
243 ; follow the Prophet. 322 ; ask for
truce, 350 ; council with Americans,
417 ; visit Drummond Island. 472 ;
Mackinac, 473 ; friendly to Americans,
456, 471.
[517]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Ouabeno
Ouabeno, Achaka, son baptized, 40.
Ouabikeki, baptized, 51 ; lodge, 52.
Ouakkouaouagan, Marie, ch Id baptized,
38, 39.
Ouassimigueso (La Porcelaine Claire),
child baptized, 131.
Ouechibisse, Angelique, slave baptized,
66.
Ouechpousse, godmother, 40.
Ouiehema, buried, 153 ; child bur'ed, 153.
Ouicheina, Lou, child baptized, 50.
Ouigouisence, Marguerite. See Bertrand.
Ou'ndigouich, child baptized, 66.
Ou ouiskoin, Madeleine. See Vasseur.
Ouiskentcha dit Teleiprieoue, child bap-
tized, 66.
Oukimakoue, child baptized, 40.
Oulaoue, niece baptized, 66.
Outagami Indians. See Foxes.
Outeskouiabano, baptized, 50.
Pacific Fur Company, founded, xvi, 291 ;
partners, 347, 348, 371.
Pacoacona, Franchise Marie Megonojan,
child baptized, 74.
Pacoacona, Jean Baptiste, child baptized,
74.
Paccacona, Marie Louise, baptized, 74.
Paget, Frangois, wife baptized, 144, god-
father, 141, 145, 147-149.
Papui, Marie Therese, married, 397.
Paquin, Catherine, baptized, 145.
Paquin, Louis, baptized, 145.
Paquin, Marie Campbell, children bap-
tized, 145.
Paqu;n, Pierre, children baptized, 145.
Parent, Angelique, baptized, 28.
Parent, Anne Catherine, baptized, 8 ;
godmother, 57, 62, 64, 67.
Parent, Anne Domitille (Nanette), bap-
tized, 3 ; godmother, 8, 10. See also
Landroche.
Parent, Anne Josephe (Josette), bap-
tized, 6. See also Metivier.
Parent, Charles Antoine, baptized, 11,
Parent, Charlotte, baptized, 3 ; god-
mother, 14, 21, 24, 28, 29. See also
La Branche.
Parent, Ignace, baptized, 5 ; buried, 154.
Parent, Joseph, baptized, 4 ; buried, 153.
Parent, Marianne Chaboillez, ch'ldren
baptized, 8, 11, 16, 28; godmother,
16, 39-41, 64, 65, 69.
Parent, Marie Anne, baptized, 4. See
aiso Brisbe.
Parent, Marie Francoise (Manon), bap-
tized, 3 ; godmother, 16. See also
Pelletier.
Parent, Pierre, children baptized, 3-6, 8,
11, 16, 28; slave baptized, 39, 64;
slave buried, 156 ; godfather, 49, 57,
58, 65 ; commandant at Mackinac, 69.
Parent, Pierre Coussant, baptized, 3.
Parent, Therese, baptized, 16 ; god-
mother, 68. See also Marchetteau.
Park, William, Detroit merchant, 278,
308. See also Medrum & Park.
Park-nan Club, Papers, 187.
Partridges, identified, 187, 188.
Patterson, Charles, trader, 235, 256.
Patt nson, — , message for, 326.
Pauquette, Pierre, death, 375.
Pause, term explained, 180.
Pavet, Father Louis, in Mackinac Reg-
ister, baptisms, 78-95 ; other entries,
149, 156, 161 ; sketch, 78.
Pecan. See Fisher.
"Pedlar," fur-trade vessel, 477.
Pelle. See La Haie.
Pelletier, — , wife, 180.
Pelletier, Angelique, baptized, 24.
Pellet 'er (Pelle), Claude. See La Haie.
Pelletier (Peltier), Jacques, Detroit set-
tler, 325.
Pelletier, Madeleine. See Askin.
Pelletier, Marianne. See Lockwood.
Pelletier, Marie Franchise (Manon)
Parent, child baptized, 24.
Pelletier, Pierre, ch Id baptized, 24.
Pelletier, Pierre II. See Antaya.
Pelletier, Susanne Hirbour, godmother,
79, 80, 86.
Pembina (N. Dal:.), post at, 239.
Pemmican, described, 226.
Penetanguishene (Ont. ), naval station,
368; settlers, 120, 132, 141, 145, 146,
305, 351 ; settlement begun, 147.
Peoria (111.), early trader, 366; letter
from, 301-303.
Perinault, — , trader, 258, 259. -
Perinault, Joseph, godfather, 75, 76.
Perrault, Jean Baptiste, trader, 173,
174.
Perry, Oliver, naval officer, 263, 351 ; re-
tires, 363.
"Perry," vessel on Lake Huron, 415,
417.
"Perservance," schooner burned, 361.
Personne. See La Fond.
Peterkin, Thomas, Indian agent, 303,
310.
Petersburg (Va.), siege, 394.
Petit, Elias, godfather, 105.
Petit Bled, a Chippewa, 216.
Petit Jour, a Chippewa, 217.
Petit Peche, on Lake Superior, 172.
Philipson, — , St. Louis merchant, 354.
Phyn, Ellice & Co., London merchants,
241.
Phyn, Inglis & Co., London merchants,
169.
Pr. du Chienl
«
Index
Pichet, William J., witness, 128, 12!).
Pichipieca, Indian debtor, 312.
Pierce, Capt. Benjamin K , wife, 109.
Pierre, a negro, baptized, G4.
Pierre, son of Ouabeno, bapt zed, 40.
Pierre, a slave, baptized, 79.
Pierre August iu, a slave, baptized, 10.
Pierre Francois, a slave, baptized, 30.
Pierre Louis, a slave baptized, 4.
Pigeons (ectoplstes miyratorius) , on
Lake Superior, 177.
Pike, Lieut. Zebulon M , visits Wiscon-
sin, xviii, 139, 2G7, 306, 313, 323, 345,
474 ; map, 313 ; journey, 315, 320 ;
cbooses fort site, 315.
Pike-perch {xtizostcdion vitreum), 168.
Pillet, Felicite. See Carignan.
Pilot, Nancy. See Louson.
Piquet, Noel, godfather, 17.
Pitatcliaouanon, relatives baptized, 51,
52.
Pittsburgh, letter from, 352 ; bank at,
453 ; early traders, 277 ; route via
xviii, 342, 390-393.
Plat Cote, a Chippewa, 184, 21G, 224.
Piatt, — , Montreal merchant, 369.
Playing Fox. Fee Wnapalaa.
Plessy, Genevieve. See Bourdon.
Plomondcne, Jacques, child baptized,
128.
Plot, G., Montreal merchant, 359, 360.
Plus, term explained, 178.
Points —
Au Sable, near Mackinac, 56.
Detour, on Lake Superior, 174.
Patterson, drowning near, 235.
St. Ignace, site, 5 ; mission at, 1, G.
66.
Poison Dor6 (fitizostedion vitreum), in
Lake Superior, 168.
Poitras, Marie Josephe. See Freraux.
Pompey, Askin's servant, 238.
Pond, Peter, fur-trader, 163; sells out.
167 ; describes Mackinac church, 150
Porlier, Jacques, Wisconsin fur-trader.
170 ; godfather, 128 ; power of attorney,
299, 334; tutor, 313; accounts. 304.
305; sales, 357, 413, 414; fun* seized,
416 ; protest, 400 ; on Miss ssippi, 27G.
313; Missouri, 445-447; at Mackinac,
428, 429; in War of 1812-15, 4G8 ;
partner, 366 ; kinsman, 166, 320, 396,
397; meets Pike, 313; buys factory
goods, 341 ; bad fortune, 463 ; a mes-
senger, 37G ; letters, 311-313, 317,
318; letters to, 304, 318-320, 337,
338, 355, 356, 396-398; sketch, 313
Porlier, Joseph Jacques, in War of 1812-
15, 356, 468; sketch, 469.
Porlier, Louise, in Canada, 166; 'ettex,
397.
[519]
Porlier, Marianne, in Canada, 166 ; visits
Montreal, 397.
Portage des Sioux, treaties at, 160.
Portage la Prairie, trader at, 365.
Portages —
Brule-St. Croix, described, 171.
Fox-Wiscons n, route via, 90, 368,
474 ; described, 438 ; Indians near,
470, 471 ; agency for, 437 ; settlers,
127, 375, 396.
(J rand, 169. See also Grand Portage.
Keweenaw, 208.
La Tortue. Sec Turtle.
Maumee-Miami, 265.
Mauvaise River-Namekagan, 176.
Montreal River, length, 180; described,
177, 178, 181, 186, 198, 199; trav-
ersed, 184, 212-214.
St. Louis River-Sandy Lake, 173.
Sturgeon Bay, 400.
Toronto, described, xv, 367, 4G2.
Turtle, 232, 233.
Portelence, Louis, w'tness, 43.
Port Hope (Ont. ), Indian agent at, 305.
Pot, French measure, described, 216.
Potawami Indians, baptized, 117, 118;
marry whites, 158 ; smallpox among,
150; at Milwaukee, 471; visit Mack-
inac, 419. 42G ; Drummond Island,
472 ; friendly, 456 ; hostile, 455 ;
presents for, 389 ; chief's portrait,
256.
Pothier, Toussaint, witness, 96 ; god-
father, 104, 122.
Pothier, Toussaint junior, agent of
North West Company, 337, 338, 342-
344, 351, 354, 358-360; buys furs,
357 ; letter, 355, 356 ; sketch, 323.
Potosi (Mo.), mine at, 302.
Pouchot, Frangois, War in America,
153.
Poulain, Pierre. See Sans Gene.
Powell, Peter, Wisconsin trader, 368 ;
in War of 1812-15, 469; sketch, 368.
Prairie du Chien, founders, xvii, 267 ;
council at (1783), 237; arbitration,
275 ; fur-ti'ade rendezvous. 191, 301,
304, 315, 318, 320, 344, 345, 353, 425,
426, 445, 475, 477 ; Indians near, 417,
418,421, 472; in War of 1812-15,
xvi\ xviii, 140, 161, 253, 356, 365,
3G7, 3G8, 387, 468 ; post planned,
378, 383; Ind ans favor post, 430;
post built, xx, 424, 425, 480 ; Ameri-
enn officials at, xviii. 308, 398. 420,
458, 459, 480 ; Indian agents, 314,
323, 333 ; fur-trade factory, 3S4, 386-
390, 433, 436, 463, 464, 481 J furs
from, 451, 466; goods for, 448-450;
wampum at, 456; licenses, 452; Brit-
'sh subjects, 401-404, 464 ; settlement,
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Pr. duchien
Prairie du Chien (continued) —
xi ; settlers, xvii, 78, 104, 139, 140 ;
Selk'rk passes, 486; See also Forts :
Crawford.
Presque Isle. See Erie (Pa.).
Preston, William C, plans Wisconsin
boundary, 177.
Preston, Col. William, relative of, 479.
Prevost, Sir George, orders from, 351,
354, 355; aide-de-camp, 322 ;, recalled,
367 ; sketch, 355.
Proctor, Gen. Henry, in War of 1812-15,
272, 367 ; beseiges Fort Meigs, 402 ;
evacuates Maiden, 347, 350 ; paroles
prisoner, 379.
Provancher, Rene, godfather, 24, 63.
Provengal, Louis Carbon neau dit, chil-
dren baptized, 134, 135.
Pryor, — , mentioned, 436.
Puthuff, Maj. William Henry, Indian
agent at Mackinac, xix, 407, 414, 463,
476; seizes furs, 415-417, 420 ; issues
licenses, 444, 445, 452, 457, 458 ; re-
fuses license, 483 ; councils with In-
dians, 417-423, 473 ; descr'bes British
policy, 408-413, 423, 424, 430; re-
quests instructions, 425-427 ; in-
structed by Cass, 428, 460, 461 ; cen-
sured, 443, 444, 459, 481 ; letters, 430-
433, 472-474 ; sketch, 407.
Quebec, besieged (1776), 297; fur-
prices at, 298.
iQueenston (Ont ), founder, 276; settlers.
272 ; route via, 342.
Quierigoufili. See Fily.
Quindre, Antoine de, godfather, 133.
<Quindre, Caesar de, sieur d'Ouville,
child baptized, 19, 26 ; commandant at
Detroit.
■Quindre, Charles Stanislas de, baptized,
19.
■Quindre, Frangoise Marianne Bellestre
de, child baptized, 19 ; godmother, 13.
Quiquanamoso. See Kikkanamazoo.
Racicot, Jacques, voyageur, 179, 180,
184, 190, 199, 201, 221 ; on drouine,
225 ; sketch, 180.
Radisson, Pierre Esprit, in Lake Su-
perior, 166, 175, 215.
Ramozay, Jean Baptiste, sieur de, com-
mandant at Nipigon, 12.
Rankin, David, trader, 236 ; sketch, 237.
Rapids, Des Moines, in Mississippi,
464.
Rassade, term explained, 217.
Rastel. See Rocheblave.
Rayshay mekoquan, an Indian, brings
information, 326.
Reaume, Alexis, merchant, 345.
Reaume, Charles, Green Bay magistrate,
xviii, 142 ; dispute with engage, 275 ;
proh'bits liquor-selling, 399, 400; sells
land, 392 ; nephew, 345 ; letter to,
395, 396; sketch, 142.
Reaume, Jean Baptiste, children bap-
tized, 2, 38, 48, 49.
Reaume, Jean Baptiste junior, baptized,
38.
Reaume, Joseph, baptized, 48, 49.
Reaume, Judith, baptized, 2.
Reaume, Marie. See L'Archeveque.
Reaume, Marie Josephe, children bap-
tized, 48, 49.
Reaume, Marie Josephe junior. See
Jourda'n.
Reaume, Susanne. See La Fond.
Reed, Celeste, baptized, 144.
Reed, N., child baptized, 144.
Reeves, Jean, godfather, 80, 83, 84, 88,
104 ; witness, 161.
Regis, a slave, baptized, 97.
Regis, Jean Frangois, a slave, baptized,
29.
Reid, James, Mackinac merchant, 345.
Reilhe, Antoine, godfather, 103.
Remond, Indian gives 'nformation, 177.
Rene, a slave, baptized, 67.
Rene" Michel, a slave, baptized, 3.
Repentigny, Louis le Gardeur, chevarer
de, godfather, 26, 39, 42, 54 ; slaves
baptized, 36, 47; sketch, 26.
Reynolds, Gov. John, wife, 366.
Rhinelander, lakes near, 202.
R'card, Joseph, godfather, 126.
Richard, Father Gabriel, baptisms, 109-
118, 132-149; describes church, 150 ;
' presides at meeting, 162 ; interments,
157, 158 ; note by, 161 ; sketch, 109.
Richardson, John, Montreal merchant,
xvi, 308, 337, 338 ; sketch, 309.
Richardson, Maj. John, traveller, 263.
Richardson, Dr. Robert, of Sandwich,
263, 324.
Richardson, Forsyth & Co., Montreal
merchants, 169.
Richot, Pierre, godfather, 12.
Rigaud, Frangois Vandreuil, marqu's de,
at Crown Point, 27.
Rivers — -
Assiniboine, fur-traders on, 165, 196,
239, 366; Indians hostile, 238.
Athabasca, fur-traders on, 366.
Aux Pleines. See Des Plaines.
Bad, reservation on, 176. 6ee also
Rivieres : Mauvaise.
Balsam, described, 212, 213.
Baraboo, origin of name, 21.
Bois Brule- (Wis.), 171.
Bons Secours. See Chippewa.
Rivers]
Index
Boyer, origin of name, 238.
Brule (Minn.), Malhiot at, 171.
Cheboygan, Indians at, 412.
Chippewa (Wis.), map, 187; portage
to, 17G ; Indians on, 189 ; fur-trad-
ers G9, 184, 190, 191, 193, 202, 203 ;
trading posts, 171 ; sketch, 171.
Churchill, trader on, 245.
Clearwater (Minn ), fort on, 215.
Columbia, fur-traders on, 136, 281,
371 ; expedition to, xvi , 348, 414 ;
dalles of, 477.
Crow, post on, 313.
De Loup. See Wolf.
Des Moines, mouth, 314 ; Indians on,
319 ; villages, 315 ; traders at, 477,
478, 483 ; fur-trade factory near,
387, 388; goods, 448.
Des Plaines, significance of name, 17 ;
resident, 455.
Detroit, mouth, 277 ; as boundary, 234.
Du Bceuf, letter from, 486.
Du Lac. See Rum.
English, trad ng on, 290.
Flambeau, route via, 181 ; described,
186.
Fox (111.), Indian village on, 455.
Fox (Wis.), route via, xv, xviii, 378;
Indians on, 471, 472; settlement,
293, 401 ; fort, 436 ; land-claims.
364, 368, 376 ; traders on, 283 ; trad-
ing license for, 476, 477 ; agency on,
380-382, 385.
Fraser, discovered, 136.
French, trade route, xv, 358, 359, 362 ;
post at mouth, 242, 248, 249, 257.
Gogogashugum. See Middle River.
Gooseberry (Minn.), described, 215.
Grand (Can.). See Ottawa.
Grand (Mich.), trading site on, xv, 9,
28, 44. 65, 148, 295, 45.").
Grand (Mo.), land grant, on, 314.
Grand (Oh'o), port at, 363.
Great Miami, portage to, 265.
Holland, portage route, 367.
Illinois, trade route, 378.
Indian Camp, identified, 215.
Issati. See Rum.
Kalamazoo, trading site, xv, 14.
Kaministiquia. significance of name,
166 ; outlet, 168 ; fur-trade route,
169.
Lemoin. See Des Moines.
Lemon weir (Wis.), traders on, 364.
Liard, post on, 374.
Mackenzie, discovered, 290.
Manitowish, on Montreal River port-
age, 181.
Maumee, portage to, 265 ; rapids, 274.
Mauvaise (Bad, Muske'go), Malhiot at,
176; Indians, 213; fish from, 215.
Menominee, as boundary line, 177 ;
source, 187 ; Indians on, 471 ;
traders, 365, 367, 476.
M ddle, identified, 213.
Milwaukee, Indian villages on, 471.
Minnesota. See St. Peters.
Mississippi, headwaters, 471, 474 ;
watershed, 182 ; route via, xviii, 342,
426; route to, xv, 431; navigation,
449 ; Ind ans on, xviii, 189, 314, 472 ;
hostile, 3S7 ; traders on, xvi, xvii,
48, 69, 71, 214, 276, 306, 307, 323,
343, 345, 353, 378, 409, 445, 477;
posts, 173, 174, 3S6 ; expedition,
387; Indian agent, 333, 365, 437;
settlement, 401 ; Selkirk descends,
486.
Missouri, Indians of, 424 ; fur-trade
on, xvii, 317, 343, 353, 378, 397,
477 ; British traders, 239. 240 ; nci-
dent of fur-trade, 347; trapping ex-
pedition, 318; traveller, 444; fur-
trade factory, 389; miTtary post,
480; town, 446; industr es, 439.
Montreal, route via, 171, 214; tribu-
taries, 212, 213; fur-trade depart-
ment, 167, 168; described, 177. See
also Portages.
Muskeego. See Mauvaise.
Niagara, fort on, 276; early settlers,
347.
Namekagan, portage to. 176.
Ohio, as boundary, 410; hostilties on,
280 ; route via, xviii, 342.
Ontonagon, Indian band on, 200 ;
described, 182.
Osage, fur-trade factory on, 389.
Ottawa (Grand), fur-trade route, xv,
167, 234, 236. 241, 242, 244, 245,
252, 255, 366
Peace, post near, 238.
Petite, Malhiot at, 21.
Pic, post on, 270.
Pigeon, portage to, 169.
Pine (des Pins), Indians on. 471;
described, 212.
Platte, traders on, 348 ; Aird visits,
317.
Qu'appelle, trad'ng post on, 165.
Raspberry (Minn.), 215.
Raspberry (Ws), Malhiot at, 174.
Bed (of the North), Indians on, 134;
traders, 136, 165, 219, 444; colony,
139, 371, 462; posts, 280; riot, 174.
Rod Lake (Minn.), fort on, 215.
Rock (111.). Indians on, 353, 387, 446,
456.
Wisconsin Historical Collections [River*
Rivers (continued) —
Rum (Minn.), letter from, 313, 314.
St. Clair (Mich.), settlers on, 308.
St. Croix, Indians on, 189 ; fur-trade
route, 171 ; portage to, 176 ; trad-
ers on, 69, 142, 313.
St. Francois. See Rum.
St. Joseph, tracing on, 295.
St. Louis (Minn.), posts on, 173.
St. Peters (Minnesota), Indians near,
435 ; traders v'sit, 275, 444, 469,
486.
Saskatchewan, posts on, 281.'
Savanna, portage route, 173.
Sioux, charted, 175.
Siskowit, Malhiot at, 174, 215.
Talon. See Ontonagon.
Thames (Ont), battle on, 184, 214.
Vermilion (S. Dak.), post on, 317.
Winnipeg, fort on, 166.
Wisconsin (Ouisconsin) , source, 182,
187 ; mouth, 71 ; Indians of, 189.
387, 471, 472 ; fur-traders on, 184.
191, 201, 221, 224, 225, 318, 470,
486 ; fur-trade route, xv, xviii, 301 ,
378; Menard on, 187; at the port-
age, 396. See also Portages : Fox-
Wisconsin, and Routes.
Wolf, Indians on, 471.
Rivieres —
A la Framboise. See Raspberry.
A l'Eau de Vie, identified, 313.
Aux Groseilles. See Gooseberry.
Des Pins. See Pine.
Des Sapins. See Balsam.
Des Sauteux. See Ch'ppewa.
Du Milieu. See Middle River.
De Vasynagan, wintering place. 30.
Rivieres, Amable de, godfather, 53, 66.
Rivieres, Hippolyte de, son baptized, 66 ;
godfather 85, 91.
Rivieres, Hippolyte junior de, baptized.
66.
Rivieres, Marie de, child bapt zed. See
also Des Rivieres.
Robertson, Catherine Askin, messages
from, 243, 245, 254; at Detroit, 258.
Robertson, Capt. Daniel, commandant at
Mackinac, 83, 90, subordinate, 236.
Robertson, Capt. Samuel, navigator,
248 ; trader, 241, 249, 252, 254 ; mar-
riage. 242, 248, 254; brother, 272;
sketch, 241.
Robertson, William, identified, 284 ;
sketch, 272.
Robertson, William junior, inherits prop-
erty, 272.
Robinson, W;lliam, mentioned, 284, 291
Roc, Ange'liqne, baptized, 92.
Roc, Charlotte, baptized, 92.
Roc, Joseph, ch'ldren baptized, 91, 92.
Roc, Joseph junior, baptized, 92.
Roc, Louise, baptized, 91.
Rocambole. See Pierre Louis.
Rocheblave, Charlotte, baptized, 130.
Rocheblave, Noel, trader, xvii ; child
baptized, 130 ; godfather, 125, 130 ;
father of, 366 ; power of attorney for,
299, 300; accounts, 304, 305, letter
to, 315, 320.
Rocheblave, Philippe Frangois Rastel,
s eur de, commandant in Illinois, 366.
Rocheblave, Pierre, in South West Com-
pany, xvii, 366, 405 ; buys furs, 413 ;
imports goods, 414 ; letters, 415-417 ;
letter to, 447.
Rocheloi, Jean Baptiste, buried, 151.
Rocheveau, Catherine, baptized, 4 ; god-
mother, 18.
Rocheveau, Franchise, baptized, 4, 5 ;
sister baptized, 17 ; d ed, 5.
Rocheveau, Franchise Veronique, bap-
tized, 5.
Rocheveau, Jean Baptiste, baptized, 6.
Rocheveau, Jean Baptiste junior, bap-
tized, 54.
Rocheveau, Marie Josephe, bapt zed, 54.
Rocheveau, Marie Tiennotte, children
baptized, 54.
Rocheveau, Michel, children baptized, 4-
6 ; wife. 5 ; slave buried, 152 ; god-
father, 19.
Rocheveau, Michel junior, wife bap-
tized, 54 ; children baptized, 54, 55.
Rolette, Jane Fisher, married, 140.
Rolette, Joseph, godfather, 140 ; church-
warden, 162 ; in War of 1812-15, 469 ;
trader, 345, 459, 460, 475 ; carries-
message, 397, 398 ; licenses, 441, 443,
487 ; censured, 419 ; letters to, 304 v
sketch, 140.
Romain, Jean, baptized, 147.
Remain, Jean Bapt ste. See Sans
Crainte.
Rose, Nicolas, godfather, 9.
Rouse, Jacques, refugee, 476.
Rouse, Loir's, Wisconsin trader, 476,
486 ; sketch, 476.
Rouse's Point (N. Y.), site, 476.
Rousseau, Charles, godfather, 137 ; in
Hudson's Bay Company, 351.
Rousseau, Dominique, children baptized,
136; godfather, 137.
Rousseau, Marguerite Champagne, ch'ld
baptized, 136.
Rousseau, Marie Bourassa, baptized, 136.
Rousseau, Jean Baptiste, Northwest
■ trader, 351.
Rousseau, Jean Baptiste junior, in Hud-
son's Bay Company, 351.
Rousseau, Sophie, baptized, 136.
Routes, for fur-trade, xv, xviii, 173, 378,,
434.
[522]
Sans Peur]
Index
Roy, Agathe Vllleneuve, at Green Bay,
248. See also Bo sguilbert, and Sou-
ligny.
Roy, Araable, Wisconsin trader, 248.
Roy, And*r6, child baptized, 100
Roy, Angelfqae. baptized, 99, 127; god-
mother, 132. See also Jauvan.
Roy, Angelique junior, baptized, 103.
Roy, Charlotte, baptized, 127 ; god-
mother, 130.
Roy, Francois T, child baptized, 85.
Roy, Frango s II, baptized, 85.
Roy, Frangois III, trader at L'Anse, 208.
219, 220; letter from, 212.
Roy, Francois IV, at Portage, 127, 390 ;
sketch, 396.
Roy, Genevieve, baptized, 103.
Roy, Joseph, children baptized, 99, 127,
128 ; son, 39G ; sketch, 127.
Roy, Louis, children baptized, 103.
Roy, Louis junior, baptized, 103.
Roy, Marguerite, children bapt zed, 127.
128.
Roy, Marie, baptized, 100.
Roy, Pierre, baptized, 99.
Roy, Pierre junior, at Green Lake, 396.
Roy, Pierre Amable, godfather, 71 ; bap
tizes, 72.
Royal Americans (60th British infan
try), officers, 281.
Rupala s. See Clayer.
"Sagtnaw," fur-trade vessel, 285-287.
299, 307.
Saintain, E., portrait by, 347.
Ste. Anne, parish church at Mackinac.
xi, 1. 0, 109; described, 150; slaves
for neophytes, 29, 34, 64 ; wardens.
160-162 ; treasurer, 161 ; new lot for,
162.
St. Antnine. See Vacher.
St. Amand, Antoine, buried, 155.
St. Aubin, Joseph, godfather, 62.
St. Charles (Mo.), trader at, 445-447
St. Clair, Arthur, governor, 303.
St. Cla r County (Til.), officers, 345.
St Clair County (Ind.), officials, 314.
St. Clair County (Mich.), early settlers,
308.
St. Cyr, — , fur-trade clerk, 243, 245.
St. Cyr, Ileiene, married, 314.
St Cyr, Hyacinthe, daughter married,
314.
Ste. Genevieve (Mo), settlers, 267, 314.
St. Germain, Antoine, godfather, 21,
48-50 ; slave baptized, 49.
St. Germain, Jacques, buried, 159.
St Germain, Joseph, godfather, 65.
St. Germa n, Leon, trader, 190; visits
Malhoit, 210; sketch, 190.
St. Ignace. See Point St. Ignace.
St. Jean, Joseph la I'erche (lit, trader
arrested, 477, 471)
St. Louis, expedition of 1780, 174;
Spanish at, 314; in War of 1812-15,
314; residents, 302, 384, 397, 424,
442, 477; merchants, xvi, 103, 304,
320. 347, 448, 478 ; voyageurs at, 353 ;
fur-trade centre, 354 ; depot for fac-
tories, 435, 448-450, 454, 456, 464,
466 ; Astorians at, 348, 371 ; trial at,
425; 'route v a, xviii, 386; Indian
treaty at, 467; charitable institu-
tions, 439.
Ste. Marie de Lanaudiere, Canadian
seignoiry, 323.
St. Martin, Toussaint Antoine Adhemar,
sieur de, royal notary, 98;. justice,
157, 158 ; witness, 102 ; godfather, 97-
100, 105, 109; baptizes, 96-100, 102,
103, 106-110, 117-119; son, 307; let-
ter to, 300; buried, 159; sketch, 159.
St. Mary's. See Sa'i't Ste. Marie.
St. Medard, Nicolas, Ljried, 156.
St. Pierre, Jacques le Gardeur, sieur de,
godfather, 24-26.
St. Pierre and St. Paul, settlement. 17.
St. Rais'n, Josette. See Gravellf
Samon. See Murray, Samon & Co.
San Domingo, officials, 273.
Sand Rock (Wis.), location, 212
Sandusky, in War of 1812-15, 468 ; fur-
trade factory at, 393 ; trading post,
266; trader, 301.
Sandwich (Ont.), mission near, 147;
settlers, 263, 272 ; traders, 346 ; in
War of 1812-15, 350.
Sanguinet, Celeste, married, 462.
Sansuinet, Charles, St. Louis merchant,
304, 305.
Sanguinet, Veronique Cardin, child bap-
tized, 75.
Sans Chagrin, Alexis Sejourne dit, child
baptized, 26; slaves baptized, 34, 51,
71 ; godfather, 16, 28, 32, 55, 63, 67,
71.
Sans Chagrin. Angelique Sejourn6 dit,
baptized, 26. See also Cauchois.
Sans Chagrin, Marie Angel que Taro
Sejourn<5 dit, child baptized, 26 ; god-
mother, 31, 34, 35, 46, 48, 50, 54,
57, 65, 69, 71.
Sans Crainte. Jacques Romain dit. bap-
tized, 61, 02.
Sans Crainte, Jean Baptiste Romain
dit, child baptized, 61, 62.
Sans Gt>ne, Pierre Poulain dit. god-
father, 33.
Sans Peur, Catherine, baptized, 57.
Sans Peur, Joseph, child bapt zed, 57,
67.
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Sans peur
Sans Peur, Michelle, child baptized, 57,
67.
Sans Peur, Therese, baptized, 67, 68.
Sans Quartier, Eustache Legal (lit,
bur'ed, 159.
Sans Regret. See Laborde.
Sarasin, Augustin, child baptized, 79.
Sarasin, Augustin junior, baptized, 79.
Sarasto, a slave, baptized, 51.
Sauk County, r ver in, 21.
Sauk Indians, villages, xviii, 314, 435,
446 ; in Spanish alliance, 314 ; hostile,
387 ; lead mines, 320 ; treaty with,
315 ; annuities, 389 ; at Milwaukee,
471 ; visit Drummond Island, 472 ;
traders among, 304, 353, 445, 446,
477 ; marry whites, 384.
Sault Ste. Marie, neighboring Indians,
206, 408 ; commandant, 39 ; inter-
preter, 134 ; early settlers, 5, 7, 10, 15,
19, 20, 23, 33, 35, 39, 46, 47, 65,
67, 70, 120, 208 ; baptism at, 208 ;
shipping for, 170, 239 ; provisions,
244, 246, 254, 256; traders, xv, 235,
241, 244, 246, 249, 355, 356; in War
of 1812-15; 357, 361-364.
Sauteux Indians. See Chippewa.
Sayer, Guillaume, at Red River, 174.
Sayer, John, Lake Superior trader, 173.
174, 238 ; letter, 181 ; partner,
190 ; sketch, 173.
Scharf, J. Thomas, St. Louis, 397.
Schindler, George, w'fe, 86.
Schindler, Therese Marcot, adopts child,
134. See also Lasaliere.
Schoolcraft, Henry R., on Lake Superior,
173, 175, 176, wife, 361 ; Indian
Tribes, 176, 300 ; Narrative Journal,
173, 183, 220.
Schoolcraft, James, murdered, 134.
Scotch, as fur-traders, xiii.
Scaton, Maitland & Co., China mer-
chants, 290.
Sejourne. See Sans Chagrin.
Selkirk, Thomas Douglas, earl, founds
colony, 366, 462 ; on Mississippi, 486 ;
sketch, 462.
Selle, Marie Josephe de. See Blondeau
Semple, Robert, governor of Red River
colony, 136, 462.
Shadawish, Chippewa chief, 206.
Shantytown, near Green Bay, 293. See
also Green Bay.
Sharp, George, trader, 280 ; death, 291.
Shaw, Alexander, witness, 102.
Shaw, Col. John, narrative, 420.
Shawneeawkee. See John Kinzie.
Shawnee Ind'ans, remove to Louisiana,
265 ; agency for, 424.
Shawnee Prophet, influence, xviii, 322,
323 ; later activity, 473.
Sbeipland, — ■, accompanies Indians, 281.
Shounkchunk (Black Wolf), Winnebago
chief, portrait, 320.
Shinaabaw'osin (Figured Stone), Ch p-
pewa chief, portrait, 208.
Simcoe, Sir John Graves, governor of
Upper Canada, 273-275, 307.
Sinclair, Capt. Arthur, naval officer, 362,
363.
Sinclair, Patrick, commandant at Mack-
inac, 78, 150, 241, 254 ; subordinate,
236.
Sioux Ind ans, habitat, 69, 319, 425,
426 ; hostile, 5, 313 ; traders among,
191, 342 ; visit Mack nac, 417, 419,
426 ; as Indian slaves, 23, 30 ; marry
whites, 444 ; children bapt'zed, 119,
124, 134, 135. See also Teton In-
dians, and Yankton Indians.
Siskowit (christivomer namycusli sisco-
wit), in Lake Superior, 172.
Six Nations. See Iroquois.
Skayamick, Andre. See Landroche.
Slavery, Indians in, 3-5, 8-10, 13, 15,
22, 29, 33, 34, 36, 39, 42, 47-49,
51, 54, 57, 59, 60, 64, 66, 67, 70, 73,
79, 86-88, 96, 97, 107, 150, 152, 240.
Smallpox, at Mackinac, 50-52, 153.
Smith, Gen. Thomas A , at Prairie du
Chien, 424, 433, 434 ; Bellfontaine,
477, 478; sketch, 424.
Smithsonian Institut'on, copper boulder
in, 183.
Solomon, Miss — , married, 462.
Solomon, Agibicocona, children baptized,
110.
Solomon, Alexis, baptized, 113.
Solomon, Elizabeth, godmother, 100.
Solomon, Ezekiel, son, 120 ; godfather,
110; trader, 252.
Solomon, Ezekiel junior, godfather, 127.
Solomon, Guillaume, children baptized,
104, 110, 120.
Solomon, Henri, baptized, 110.
Solomon, Hubert, baptized, 120.
Solomon, Louis, recollections, 120.
Solomon, Louise Dubois, godmother, 101,
103, 106, 110, 112, 120, 122, 125,
127, 128 ; witness, 113, 121 ; baptizes,
110.
Solomon, Marguerite, baptized, 127.
Solomon, Mar e, child baptized, 113.
Solomon, Marie Louise, baptized, 110.
Solomon, Samuel, child baptized, 113.
Solomon, Sophie, baptized, 104, 105 ;
godmother, 104, 106.
Sommers, Rev. M.. C., aid acknowledged,
[524]
Toronto]
Index
Soud. See Martin.
Souligny, Agathe Villeneuve, godmother,
55, 57, 59, 61. See also Boisguilbert
and Roy.
Souligny, Apolline, baptized, 101.
Soul'gny, Charlotte, baptized, 55.
Souligny, Francois, child baptized, 95 ;
godfather, 95.
Souligny, Francois Lou's, baptized, 95.
Souligny, Marie, godmother, 89. ,
Souligny. Philippe Frangois, child bap-
t zed, 100 ; godfather, 98.
Souligny, Pierre le Due, (Lit, child bap-
tized, 55 ; slave baptized, 55 ; god-
father, 38, 45, 55, 61 ; sketch, 38.
South West Fur Company, founded, xvi,
291, 337 ; partners, 280, 324 ; agents,
351, 363, 413, 414, 426, 431 ; em-
ployees, 176, 474 ; territory supplied,
426; goods, 355; accounts, 344; buys
furs, 429 ; affected by embargo, 342 ;
relation to Astor, 405, 451, 458, 460.
Spanish, control Louisiana, 265 ; allied
with Indians, 314 ; land-grants, 320.
Spinard, Charles, son buried, 157.
Spokane (Wash.), post near, 477.
Squirrels, damage from, 188.
Steadman, — , merchant, 247.
Sterling, James, Detroit merchant, 243,
244, 278.
Stock Leo F., aid acknowledged, xxi.
Stockton, — , letter to, 431.
Stone, Bostwick & Co., fur-merchants,
461.
Stone, David, fur merchant, 461, 477.
Strabane, Askin's estate, 324, 326.
Street, Joseph, papers of, 477, 483.
Stuart, Betsy, message from, 371.
Stuart, Dav d, fur-trader, 371.
Stuart, Robert, letter, 368-372.
Sturgeon, in Lake Superior, 183, 214,
215.
Sunday, John, a Chippewa, 200.
Sunfish, n Lac du Flambeau, 188.
Super'or, trading post at, 173 ; Histori-
cal Society, 173.
Susanne, a slave, baptized, 43.
Tareau, Antoine, godfather, 93.
Tabeaux, Baptiste, witness, 161.
Tabeaux, P., witness, 161.
Talllefer, Joseph, children baptized, 116
Taillefer, Josette, baptized, 130
Talllefer, Louise, children baptized.
116.
Ta'llefor, Louise junior, baptized, 116.
Taill fer, Marie, baptized, 116; god-
mother, 126; mother baptized, 130.
Talller, Charles Chevalier, child bap
tized. 23
Tallier, Pierre, baptized, 23.
Talon, Jean, r ver named for, 183.
Tanner, John, child baptized, 134.
Tanner, Lucille (Lucy), baptized, 134.
Taro, Marie Angelique. See Sans Cha-
grin.
Tason, Charles, engagement contract,
292, 293.
Taxier, Charles, adopts child, 12.
Taylor, Maj. Zachary, at Green Bay,
482 ; expedition on Mississ ppi, 387.
Tecumseh, alliance with Chippewa, 207 ;
confederacy, xviii, 322, 323 ; army,
456.
Teleiprioue. See Ouiskentcha.
Tellier. See La Fortune.
Ten Eyck, Conrad, fur-trader, 347-349,
360; sketch, 347.
Ten Eyck, Jeremiah, Detro t merchant,
347.
Tenier, Paul, godfather, 88, 91.
Tenkswatawa. See Shawnee Prophet.
Terrebonne (Que.), retired traders at,
240.
Teton Indians, hostile, 347.
Texier, Urbain. Se La Vigne.
Thierry, Pierre, canoe conductor, 256 ;
godfather, 83, 88, 92, 115, 121, 123,
130 ; witness, 161 ; sketch, 256.
Thimotee, an Ottawa, children baptized,
86.
Thomas. See Tomah.
"Thomas," Lake Huron vessel, 288.
Thomas, Paul, godfather, 67.
Thwa'tes, Reuben G., Early Western
Travels, 196, 226, 362, 444, 463 ;
Original Journals of Lewis and Clark
Expedition^ 317.
Tiennotte, Marie, baptized, 54 ; children
baptized, 54, 55. See also Rocheveau
Todd, Isaac, Montreal trader, 280, 282,
285, 286 ; in England, 261, 263 ; re-
turns, 260, 264 ; ill, 310 ; visits
spr ngs, 289, 372 ; at New York, 336 ;
Philadelphia, 281 ; Niagara, 2S4 ; let-
ters, 271, 272, 276, 277 ; letters to,
234, 240, 246.
Todd, Mrs. Isaac, in England, 249.
Todd Brothers, traders, xvi, 139.
Todd & McCill, Montreal traders, 250;
letters. 261, 264-266; letters to, 251-
256, 258.
Tomah (Thomas), Menominee chief, 346,
376 ; defends Mackinac, 362 ; speech
in council, 417, 418.
"Tonqu n," fur-trade vessel, 365, 371,
414, 477.
Toronto (Little York), fur-trade rendez-
vous, 35S, 359 ; portage rout<\ xv.
367 ; mail route via. 351 ; residents,.
368 ; provisions at, 368, 369.
[525]
Wisconsin Historical Collections [Treaties
Treaties —
Paris (1763), 234.
Greenville (1795), 284.
Sauk and Fox (1804), 389.
Ghent (1814), xix, 146, 395, 414, 441
Greenville (1814), 160.
Portage des Sioux (1815), 160, 387,
416, 456.
General Indian (1815-17), 439.
Great Britain, commercial (1816), 404.
Winnebago (1816), 455.
St. Louis (1816), 387.
St. Louis (1817), 424, 467.
Menominee (1817), 467.
Pra'rie du Chien (1825), 456.
Chippewa (1826), 200
Pond du Lac (1826), 434.
Butte des Morts (1827), 434.
Chicago (1832), 160.
Sauk and Fox (1832), 477.
Chicago (1833), 160.
Washington (1836), 483.
La Pointe (1854), 187.
Tremble, Remie, voyageur, 179, 218.
226 ; deserts, 208, 209, 227 ; returns.
211, 212
Trempealeau, resident, xxi.
Tiny (Ont ), settlers, 161.
Trout {cristivomer namycush), in Lake
Superior, 172.
Turcotte, P erre, deserted engage, 288.
Turpin, Amable, godfather, 138.
Two R vers, trader at, 446.
"Union," fur-trade vessel, 355.
United States, cession of Louisiana, 265 :
Bureau of Ethnology Report, 189, 197,
322 ; Indian Treaties, 467.
Upper Canada, organized, 272, 278 ; of-
ficials, 273, 368 ; capital, 275 ; gov-
ernor, 367 ; early settlers, 235 ; re-
moval to, xx.
Upper Piqua (Ohio), Indian agent at,
340.
Lrtub ze, Marin, slave baptized, 5.
Vacher, Charles St. Antoine dit, en-
gagement contract, 343, 344.
Vacher, Joseph St Antoine dit, con-
tract, 343.
Vaillancourt, Angelique, baptized, 102,
103.
Vaillancourt, Elizabeth, baptized, 142.
Vaillancourt, Hariette, baptized, 135.
Vaillancourt, Jean Baptiste, bapt zed,
112.
Vail'ancourt, Joseph, children bapt zed.
102, 108, 111, 112, 142.
Vaillancourt, Joseph junior, baptized.
111.
Vaillancourt, Josephe, godmother, 122,
123, 126. See a so Marly.
Y'aUlan court, Marie. See Hogan.
Vaillancourt, Marie Elizabeth Bourgoln,
ch luren baptized, 102, 108, 111, 112,
142.
Vale, Charles, child baptized, 92, 93.
vale,, Pierre, baptized, 92, 93.
van Buren, President Martin, appoint-
ments, 347.
Varin, Guillaume, wife baptized, 80.
Varnum, Jacob B , factor at Chicago,
391, 394, 395 ; at Sandusky, 393, 394 ;
sketch, 394.
Varnum, Gen. Joseph Bradley, speaker
of House of Representatives, 326.
Varnum, Joseph Bradley junior, factor
at Mackinac, 326, 327, 330-334, 339,
341 ; chosen for Green Bay, 382-384 ;
n Astor's employ, 414 ; brother, 394 ;
sketch, 326.
Vassvur, Andre le, baptized, 131, 132.
'asseur, Genevieve le, baptized, 117.
Vasseur, Jacques le, children baptized,
95, 113, 116, 117, 131, 132 ; wife bap-
tized, 115.
Vasseur, Jacques le junior, baptized, 116.
rasseur, Jean Baptiste le, baptized, 132.
Vasseur, Joseph le, baptized, 113.
"asseur, Louis le, baptized, 116, 117.
Vasrmr, Louise le, baptized, 95 ; god-
mother. 120. 131, 132. See also Gau-
tler dit Caron.
Vasseur, Madeleine Ouiouiskoin le, bap-
tized, 115 ; children bapt zed, 113,
116, 117, 131, 132,
Vaudette, Angelique, baptized, 108.
Vaudette, ETppolyte, children baptized,
108, 131
-Taudette, Marie, baptized, 131.
Vercheres, Jean Jarret, sieur de, com-
mandant at Mackinac, 11.
■rercheres (Que.), residents, 166.
"erendrye. See La V€rendrye.
T7>rge, French measure, explained, 223.
Veronique I, a slave, baptized. 9
"eron que IT, a slave, child bapt'zed, 96.
"rerville, Claude de. See Gautier.
Vieau, Andrew Jacques, portrait, 400.
"*eau, Jacques, Milwaukee trader, 400,
401.
"ieau, Peter J., narrative, 400
,Tieu, Indian debtor, 312.
x1eu, Angelique du Sable, son baptized,
2.
Vieu, Catherine Angelque, baptized, 3.
V'eu, Coussant, baptized, 2.
,rieu, Ignace, children baptized, 2, 3 ;
son died. 2.
Vieu, Louis Therese, baptized, 2 ; died,
2.
Wild Goose]
Index
Vlger, Marie Anne. See Beauvais.
V go, Francois, trader at Vincennes, 264,
266.
Vilas County, streams in, 181 ; sites,
197.
Villebon, Charles Rene" Desjordy, sicur
de, commandant at .Green Bay, god-
father, 42.
Villeneuve, Agathe, baptized, 2 ; signa-
ture, 13. See also Boisguilbert, Sou-
ligny, and Roy.
Villeneuve, Anne (Nanette), bapt'zed,
2 ; signature, 8 ; married, 161 ; buried,
154 ; sketch, 2. See also Guillory and
Blondeau.
Villeneuve, Charlotte, baptized, 56.
Villeneuve, Constant (Coussant) Stanis-
laus, baptized, 3 ; children baptized,
56, 65.
Villeneuve, Daniel, children bapt'zed, 2.
Villeneuve, Daniel junior, baptized, 2 ;
child baptized, 22.
Villeneuve, Domitelle, children baptized,
2, 3. See also Langlade.
Villeneuve, Jean Bapt ste, baptized, 2.
Villeneuve, Marie Louise Therfese, bap-
tized, 2. See also Gautier.
Villeneuve, Pierre Louis, baptized, 65.
Vi'liers, Magdeleine de. See La Perriere.
Vill ers, Nicolas Antoine Coulon de,
k lied, 22.
Vincennes (Ind.), on boundary, 443;
capital of Indiana Territory, 295,
296; early residents, 159, 302, 439.
Volant, Nicolas, godfather, 35.
Waapalaa (Playing Fox), portrait, 320.
Wadln, — , trader killed, 474.
Wagacoucher, Charles, child baptized,
101.
Wagacoucher, Charlotte, baptized, 101.
Wagner, Prof. George, a d acknowledged,
xxii, 172, 188.
Walpole (N. H ), fur-trade at, 461.
Warren, John, Fort Erie commissary,
276.
Warren, Admiral John B., wins battle,
281.
Warren, Lyman M., Wisconsin trader,
70. 171, 176.
Warren, Truman, Wisconsin trader, 70,
176.
Warren, William, Wisconsin trader, J 84.
Wars —
French and Indian (1754-63), partic ■
pants, 27, 243.
Pontiac's con sp racy (1763), xii, 68,
279.
Lord Dunmore's (1774), participant
392.
American Revolution (1775-82), in
Northwest, xvii, 166, 234, 204 ; Can-
ada, 238; Illinois, 360; participants,
273, 282, 297, 308, 314, 392 ; Amer-
ican sympathizers, 244, 301 ; loyal-
ists, 259, 260, 272, 3( 5 ; Bruisu
agents, 265 ; British post, 276 ; suf-
ferers from, 284 ; naval officer, 275 ;
Indians employed, 242, 243, 251,
252.
1812-15, declaration, xviii, 348 ; par-
tic pants, 145, 214, 272, 304-300,
310, 321, 368, 379, 407, 424, 433,
444, 454, 479 ; surgeon, 203 ; inter-
preters, 184, 190, 208, 253 ; comm s-
sary, 330 ; fur-traders in, 300, 367,
440, 468, 469, 476, 477; Indian al-
lies, 322, 347, 386, 468 ; vessels em-
ployed, 308, 351 ; in the West, xvii,
439, 456 ; the South, 392 ; on Nia-
gara frontier, 276, 327 ; at. Detroit,
294, 350 ; Mackinac, xix, 139, 140,
146, 184, 323, 324, 327, 345, 355,
357-364, 421 ; on Lake Super or,
190; in Wisconsin, 148, 160, 161,
314, 345, 356, 365, 368, 387, 402,
409, 481 ; destroys fur-trade, 393,
394 ; peace declared, 369 ; bound-
aries adjusted, 167. See also
Treaties : Ghent.
Winnebago (1827), history, 435, 480.
Warsaw (111), site, 387.
Washington, George, favors factory sys-
tem, 311 ; first executive mansion,
260; death mentioned, 291.
Washington (D. C), archives, xx' ; Li-
brary of Congress collections, 436-439 ;
Globe, editor of, 479.
"Washington," vessel on Lake Michigan,
428
Waters, Marie Magdeleine, baptized, 81.
Waubajeeg, Chippewa chief, 175
Wayne, Gen. Anthony, officers, 297, 347.
Wayne County (Mich.), office's, 296,
347; trading Icense, 295.
•'Weasel," vessel wrecked, 326.
Wells, William, Indian agent, 303.
Wheeler, L. H., missionary. 176.
Wheeling (W. Va.), Indian agent at,
310.
Whe.:y, — , child baptized, 119.
White, David, Montreal merchant. 310.
White Crane, Ch'ppewa chief, 70.
White Crow, Chippewa chief. 193.
White Dog's Son. See Nahshawagaa.
Whitefish (corcgonus cliipcifornws) , In
Lake Superior, 172, 176, 214. 324.
W ed, prince of. See Maximilien.
Wild Goose (bernicle Canadensis), pur-
chased, 219.
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